The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-11-09
NIGH UNTO DEATH.

A CASE OF CIRCUMsTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
The warehouse of NJ. Justin Bertrand
was situated on the Rue Madeleine 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, how
ever, that on the morning of February Is,
1S49, as the watchman accompanied by
fellow officer was passing, he noticed
that one of the side shutters had APP
parently been removed This aroused
the suspicious of the officers, and adj
vancing few steps he stumbled over the
bleeding and inanimate form of Young
man. AT this moment two men rushed
out OF rear door. The companion of
the officer gave chase and succeeded in
capturing 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 dc Justice. Further search
revealed the fact that NJ 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.
"Alas" he exclaimed, "why did they
not kill me, and save my mother this
great sorrowl"
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 -
NJ. Bertrand's warehouse. Soule the one
who had escaped, Gourard and himself
They had entered the place, and were
progressing admirably when Il noise
startled them. 1t was VI. Bertrand, who
had entered the place to ascertain the
cause of the shutters being down. As he
approached to where the three were
crouching Gourard struck him Il tremcnd-
Gus blow on the head with - iimmv,n
which felled him lifcless to the floor. APP
plrently terrified at his own act, Gourard
then rushed down stairs, and when he
reached the middle he stumbled his head
striking the corner of the counter. lie
fell scnseess. They carried him from
the building, intending to convey him to
aplace of secrecy. 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 be-
fore the presiding Judge at the 1rbu-
ncuX. He first, however, sent letter to
his mother informing her of his great
trouble and assuring her OF his inno-
cence. His mother, fastening to Paris,
had secured the service of one VI. Belot
to defend her son. The day of trial at
length arrived. 1t happened, however,
that on that very day young lawyer
Pierre CASTOR, was stopping in Paris
awaiting the arrival of certain persons
with whom he had important business
Not having anything to do he sought the
court room for the purpose of passing
the time in observing the proceedings OF
the court His route led him by the iail
where Gourard was incarcerated. Just
before reaching the grim reccpticle of
crime and misery, two officers, having in
charge pale young man, apparently
about tWenty-onc, came from the prison
stepped upon the walk immediately in
front of him, and moved in the same
direction he was going. NJ CASTOR had
then an opportunity to observe the fea-
lures OF the young prisoner. His features
his manners, his respectable hearing all
struck the young lawyer favorably. The
three persons walked with rapid strides
toward the court house. They had pro-
ceeded but short distance when they
were met by respectfully appearing
woman OF about forty years of age. The
moment she saw him she sprang forward
and clasped him in her arms eXclaiming:
"Oh, Henri Henri. My boy, my
son.'
The sudden appearance of the woman
caused the officers to halt.
Mother, why did you not wait at the
Court House for me?n said the young
man, endeavoring to smother his emo
tons.
/" Because | did not see YOU there
Henri, and thought perhaps you might
not have your trial to-day after all. and
so started to see you at the Jail Oh,
my boy, my darling" said the wretched
woman, her voice now broken with sobs,
"are they going to try you today"
Yes, mother, | am to be tried to-
day. But calm yourself. trust all will
be well with me, for God above knows
that | am not guilty.
The woman raising herself to her full
height, with flashing eyes, answered:
You guilty, Henri You guilty?
Who dare accuse youw
Then hesitating, and seeming to realize
the full situation OF the wretched doom
that threatened her son, she exclaimed
Oh, no, no! You are not guilty!
You cannot be, you are so good and
true. There there! Now you looked
just as you used to, when on your knees
l first taught you your little prayer in
our dear old"
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.
sob, sir" said the woman, do You
not see that his injured that is limo
cent ! | know he is"
How do you know that2 Maybe
you can swear for him, said the officer,
gruiily.
" Because because | am his mother