Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-01-02
NIGH UNTO DEATH

The warehouse OF N. Justin Der
trand was situated on the Rue Made
lene. 1t was supposed to be burglar
proof, so when NJ. Bertrand put up hi
shutters and went home the safety o
his goods troubled him but little. I
appears, however, that on the mornin.
of February 10, 1S49, rs the Waterman
accompanied by fellow officer, wa
passing, he noticed that one of the shut
tiers had apparently been removed
GERS, and advancing few steps h,
stumbled over the bleeding and inani
mate form of young man. At thi,
moment two men rushed out of real
door The companion of the officer
gave chase and succeeded in capturing
one of the two who had just left IL
such great haste. The watchmacrther
summoned assistance and the linn
body of the young mali was borne e
the Palais de 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.
"Alasr' he exclaimed, "why did
they not kill me and save my mother
this great sorrow ?'
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-Soulc, the
one who had escaped, Gourard and him
self. They had entered the place and
were progressing admirably when a
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 II 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
scnsclcss. 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 il
when the officers arrived. The rest is
known. Gourard was remandcd to be
tried before the Presiding Judge at the
TribuneuX. He first, however, sent q
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. Ii 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 inn
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 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 q
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 claspcd
him in her arms, exclaiming:
30, 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 mep" said the
young man, endeavoring TO smother
his emotions.
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. o,
my boy, my darling" said the wretched
woman, her voice now broken with
sobs, "are they going to try you to-
dayP'
Eyes, 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, an
swered
"You guilty, Henri You guilty
Who dare accuse youp'
Then hesitating, and seeming TO real
izc the full situation of the wretched
doom that threatened her son, she ex-
claimed:
30, no, no. You are not guilty.
You cannot be, you are so good and
true. There, there. Now you look
just rs you used TO when on your knees
| first taught you your little prayer in
our dear old"
Come, conc, old woman, stand
aside and don't hinder us any longer.
The young man is wanted yonder, v
said one Of the officers pointing toward
the Court House.
go, SIR" said the woman, edo YOU
not see that he Is injurcd-that he is in
nocentP know he is.
'How do you know that Maybe
you can swear for him. said the Off
Ger gruilly.
because because I am his mother,
snd-apd l taught him his prayer