The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-12-15
NIGH UNTO DEATH.

NIGH UNTO DEATH
The warehouse of M. Justin Ber-
trand was situated on the Rue Made
leine. 1t was supposed to be burglar
proof, SO when Nj. Bertrand put up his
shutters and went home the safety of
his goods troubled him but little. 1t
appears, however, that on the morning
of February Is, 1849, as the Waterman,
accompanied by fellow officer, was
passing, he noticed that one of the shut
tiers had apparently been removed.
This aroused the suspicious of the Off
GERS, and advancing a few steps he
stumbled over the bleeding and mani
mate form of young man. At this
moment two men rushed out of rear
door. The companion of the officer
one of the two who had just left in
such great haste. The Waterman then
summoned assistance and the limp
body of the young man was borne to
the Palais de Justice. Further search
revealed the fact that M. Bertrand had
been murdered while in his warehouse.
When sufficiently restored to conscious
ness the young man, Henri Gourard by
name, protested his innocence. His
story was heard but not believed.
"Alasr' he exclaimed, 'why did
they not kill me and save my mother
this great sorrow P"
The one captured by the watchman's
companion, Richet, an ex-galley slave,
then told his story on promise of
being set at liberty.
The three had put up job to "gut''
M. Bertrand's warehouse-Soule, the
one who had escaped, Gourard and him.
self. They had entered the place and
were progressing admirably when q
noise startled them. 1t was M. Ber-
trand, who had entered the place to as
certain the cause of the shutters being
down. AS he approached to where the
three were crouching, Gourard struck
him tremendous blow on the head
with '.jimmy," which felled him life
less to the floor. Apparently terrified
at his own act, Gourard then rushed
downstairs, and when he reached the
middle he stumbled, his head striking
the corner of the counter. He fell
senseless. They carried him from the
building, intending to convey him to a
place of secresy. They had just reached
the street when they remembered that
they had left something compromising
behind, and had gone in search of it
when the officers arrived. The rest is
known. Gourard was remanded to be
tried before the Presiding Judge at the
Tribuneux. He first, however, sent a
letter to his mother informing her of
his great trouble and assuring her of
his innocence. His mother, fastening
to Paris, had secured the services of NJ.
Belot to defend her son. The day of
the trial at length arrived 1t happened,
however, that on that very same day a
young lawyer, Pierre CASTOR, was stop
ping in Paris, awaiting the arrival Of
certain persons with whom he had i'm
portant business. Not having anything
to do, he sought the courtroom for the
purpose of passing the time in observ-
ing the proceedings of the court. His
route led him by the jail'where Gourard
was incarcerated. Just before reach
ing the grim receptacle of crime
and misery two officers, having in
charge a pale young man, apparently
about twenty-one, came from the prison,
stepped upon the walk Immediately in
front of him, and moved in the same
direction he was going. M. CASTOR had
then an opportunity to observe the fea-
lures of the young prisoner. His fea-
lures, his manners, his respectable
bearing, all struck the young lawyer
favorably. The three persons walked
with rapid strides toward the Court
House. They had proceeded but 8
short distance when they were met by
respectfully appearing woman of about
forty years Of age. The moment she
sawhim she sprang forward and clasped
him in her arms, exclaiming:
20. Henri! Henri! My boy, my
sonr'
The sudden appearance of the woman
caused the officers to halt
s.Mother, why did you not wait al
the Court House for me?" said the
young man, endeavoring to smother
his emotions.
because / did not see you there
Henri, and I thought perhaps you nigh,
not have your trial to-day, after all, and
so started to see you at the Jail. O.
my boy. my darling" said the wretched
woman, her voice now broken with
sobs, ARE they going to try you to
dayi"