The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-11-10

lou gHtitF. i1enrl! Lou guilty
Who dare accuse you?'
Then hesitating, and seeming to real
ize the full situation of the wretched
doom that threatened her son, she ex-
claimed:
20. no. no. You are not guilty.
You cannot be, vou are so good and
true. There, there. Now you look
Just as you used to when on your knees
first taught you your little prayes in
our dear old ae
Come, come, old woman, stand
aside and don't hinder us any longer.
The young man is wanted yonder,"
said one of the officers pointing toward
the Court House.
20, sir, said the woman, '.do you
not see that he is iniured-that he is in
nocent? know he is. y
..How do you know that Maybe
you can swear for him. said the Off
Ger gruffiy.
.Becanse-because am his mother,
and-and taught him his prayer
and"
.Yes, yes You amt the first good
woman who had bad boy for son.
Come on my coyey, Monsieur lie Judge
will sec 10 that.
Gaston's progress was arrested by
this pathetic scene. Deeply toucheiby
the appearance of the mother and son,
he followed them to the Court House.
just as they were about to ascend the
steps that led to the Court House the
young man paused moment.
B 'sMother," said he, lis nj. Belot go
ing to undertake my defense ?'
mot unless we pay him in advance,
and and we have not got the money,
you know
20, God, have mercy upon me-"
exclaimed the young man, completely
breaking down. What shall I do a''
.'Come along; don't stop to blubber
here. The Court will appoint some
one to defend YOU
He was soon seated in the prisoners
box to await the proceedings of Court.
The young lawyer followed the Off
Ger into the Courtroom and seated
himself behind the bar. After scan
ming more carefully the features of the
prisoner he said to himself: IF that
young man is guilty Of any serious
crime then am no Judge of features. y
Presently the loud tap announced the
approach of Monsieur lie Judge.
s.Officer," said the prosecuting law
yer, sis Henri Gourard in eourtph
"He is" was the reply.
.sHas the prisoner counsel?" asked
the Judge.
..No monsieur; expected NJ. Belot
to defend me, but he refuses now"
ssWhy does he refusepa asked the
Court.
"Because | have no money to pay
him. was the reply.
"Then, as you have no means to en-
ploy counsel, the Court will see that you
have counsel.
The Judge now addressed respect
ably appearing lawyer present, but he
declined under the plea that he had
pressing business. The Court then adj
dressed several other lawyers, with the
same result. At this moment another
lawyer entered, to whom the Judge
said:
"Mons. Mordaunt, the Court desires
you to undertake the defense of Henri
Gourard, the prisoner at the bar"
.sAh, yes. Your Honor can always
command my poor services; but in view
nature Of his great offense-I think that
he had better plead guilty and be done
with it"
A sob of deep, broken-hearted an
guish resounded through the court
room. 1t was from the poor mother,
who heard in this the knell of her SON
doom.
"lf the Court please / will undertake
the defense of the young man." said M.
CASTOR in voice whose tones attracted
the attention Of every one in the court
room.
With some surprise at the youth of
the young lawyer, the Judge asked if
he desired assistance, to which Castor
replied that he would undertake the
entire charge of the defense.
The case was then adjourned one day
to give M. CASTOR an opportunity to con-
suit with the prisoner.
The prisoner was the only son of the
poor woman present, and she was a
widow. A few days before the COM
mission of the crime to which he was
charged he came to Paris for the pur-
pose of obtaining employment. He
soon made the acquaintance of a very
friendly appearing man, who took much
interest in him and kindly offered to
assist him in obtaining employment
One evening he was invited by his
friend to accompany him and examine
some personal property he had in the
Rue Madeleine in certain building he
had rented. Although twas quite late
Henri assented. On their way his
friend overlook another person with
whom he was acquainted, and whom
he also invited. His friend now
informed him that he greatly de-
sired to enter a building, which
he pointed out, saying that it was his
store, but as he had forgotten his key
he produced small iron bar, which he
handed to Henri, telling him to pry
open one of the shutters. In mo-
ment the young man understood that
he was in the presence Of burglars, and
horror-stricken at the thought, he at
tempted to run away; but ere had made
two steps he received blow on the
head which felled him to'the earth in
sensible.
When. he returned to consciousness
he was in the Office of monsieur, the
examining magistrate. From the testi-
mony of Richet he learned that the
building had been broken open and en-
tered, and that M. Bertrand, the pro-
prietor, had been murdered. OF all
that he knew absolutely nothing The
friendly person whom he had started
out with had made his escape, while
Richet had been captured.