Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-12-19
Nigh Unto Death.

whe 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 Feb.
Is, le49, as the watchman, accompanied
By a fellow officer was passing, he
noticed that one OF the side shutters
had apparently been removed. This
aroused the suspicious of the officers,
aud advancing few steps he stumbled
over the bleeding and inanimate form
of a young man. At this moment
two men rushed out Off 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 watchman then summoned assis-
tance, and the limp body of the young
man was born to ihe Palais de Justice.
Further search revealed the fact that
NJ. Betrapd had been murdered while
in bis warehouse. When sufficiently re.
stored to consciousness the young man,
Henri Gourard by name, protested his
innocence. His story was heard, but
not believed.
Alas y be exclaimed. why did they
not kill me, and cave my mother this
great sorrow?'
The one captured by the watchman's
companion. kichet, an ex-galley slave,
then told his story. on promise OF being
set at liberty.
The Il rec bad put up a job to got
NJ. Be rtrapd's warehouse. SOule. the
one who escaped, Gourard and him.
self, They had entered the place. and
were progressing admirably when
n noise started them. 1t was NJ. Ber-
trand, who had entered the place to
ascertain the cause Of the shutters being
down. As he approached 10 where the
three were crouchipg Gourard struck
him a tremendous blow on the head
with jimmy which felled him life
less TO The floor. Apparently terrified
al bis own act, Gourard then rushed
down stairs, and when he reached the
middle he stumbled. bis head striking
the cornor Of The counter. He fell
senseless. They carried him from the
building. intending TO convey him 10 a
place Of secrecy. Taey had just reached
the street when they remembered that
they bad left something compromising
behind, and had gone in search OF it
when the officers arrived. The rest is
known. Gourard was remanded to be
tired before the presiding judge at the
Trjbuntux. He first, however, sent a
letter 10 his mother intorming her oil
his great trouble and assuring her OF bis
innocence. His mother, Fastening 10
Paris. had secured the service OF one
NJ. Belot 10 def her con. Tho 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 oil certain
persons with whom he had important
business. Not having anything to do
be sought the court room for the pur'
pose OF passing the time in observing
proceedings Of the court. His route
| led him by the jail where Gourard was
incarcerated. Just before reaching the
grim recepticle of crime and misery, two
officers, having in charge a pale youns
man, apparently about twenty-one
came from the prisou stepped upon the
walk Immediately in froLt OF him, ant
moved in the same direction he wal
going. NJ. CASTOR ha d then an oppor-
tur,ty 10 observe the features Of the
yousg prisoner. His features, his man.
nsrs. bis respectable bearing, all struck
1.-The young lawyer favorably. The
three persons walked with rapid strides
toward the court house. They hat
proceeded but a short distance when
4 they were met by a respectably-appear'
| ing woman of about forty years of age
THE moment she saw him she sprang
forward and clasped him III her arms,
exclaming:
ooh, Henri! Henri! My boy, my
son!'
| The sudden appearance Of the wo-
man caused the officers to halt.
Mother, why did you not wait at the
lCourt House for me p said the young
man, endeavoring to smother his emo
tons.
| because l did not see you there,
Henri, and I thought perhaps you
might not have your trial to-day after
all. and so / started 10 see you at the
iail. Oh. my boy, my darling said
| the wretched woman, her voice now
broken with sobs, are they going 10
try you to-dayf'
Yes, mother. sm TO be tried to-day
Bu. calm yourself. l trust all Will be
we'll with me, for God above knows
that / am not guilty.
The woman raising herself to her foll
height, with flashing eyes, answered:
oh, no, no! You are not guilty
You cannot be. you are 80 good and
true /! There ! there Now sou looked
lust as you used TO. when on your
knees / fret taught you your little
prayer 10 our dear old
], Come, come, old woman, stant
aside aud don't hinder us any longer
The young man Ii wanted yonder,' sait