The Western news., 1909-12-29
One of the Queerest Stories of
Doubles In History.
AUDACITY OF THE IMPOSTOR.
He Deceived Not Only the Sisters, but
Even the Wife, of the Man Whose
Place He Usurped-The Return of
the Real Guerre and the Exposure.

Perhaps the most remarkable case
of doubles in all history is that of
Martin Guerre. Frenchman, who
was born near Bayonne in the first
half of the sixteenth century. Martin
Guerre was the son Of Il well to do
farmer and brickmaker, and, as was
the custom of the country at the time.
he married at the age of eleven Ber-
trande de Rolls. who had then reached
the age of ten. For eight years they
lived together.
Unfortunately Martin stole bushel
of corn from his father. Frightened
by the Nervousness of his crime he de-
serted his wife and fed to Spain
There he entered the service of En-
peror Charles V. and after several
years Of campaigning seems to have
forgotten his wife, Bertrande. and his
baby boy, Sancho. At any rate. he
ceased TO write home. and his family
lost all trace of him. His absence
stretched on to eight years.
Then one evening stranger arrived
serted wife was still living He at
once told his host that he was Martin
Guerre and recouuted the adventures
and hardships that had kept him from
home so long. The rumor Of Martin
Queries return soon spread, and his
four sisters FASTENED to the hostelry
to welcome him home. They found
hnn IIn hnI
eight years before, scarcely more than
a boy. Now he was a mature man,
bronZed and bearded. Nevertheless
they welcomed him. embraced him
and carried the news to his wife,
Bertrande FASTENED to him at once
When she saw him first she started
back with misgiving. But he address
ed her tenderly. repeated word for
word their parting conversation and
mentioned details that only husband
could have known. He even spoke of
the clothing he had left behind and
where it could be found. Bertrande
was convinced. She begged forgive
ness for her doubts and threw herself
into his arms. An uncle arrived. He,
tailed to him all the minutiae of their
business transactions eight years be-
fore. and he also was convinced
The upshot of the matter was that
this newly arrived Martin Guerre re-
turned home with his wife and lived
happily and without suspicion with
her for four years. During this time
they had two children, and Martins
father at his death bequeathed him
farm.
However, soldier passing through
the village declared that he had seen
Martin at the siege of ST. Quentin,
that he had lost Il leg there, but that
he was still alive, and the soldier left
written deposition to that effect.
The rumor spread that the man living
as Martin Guerre was an impostor.
Bertrande at this filed criminal
information against the man to whom
Tor four years she had granted the
rights of a husband. He was describ
ed in the accusation as Arnault du
Iilh and was committed to prison.
The prisoner said that the uncle had
influenced his wife and that the whole
charge was conspiracy to deprive
MIN OF his fortune of 5000 lvres. He
submitted to searching interrogatory.
after the French fashion, and an
sWered all questions satisfactorily. He
told or his campaigns and revealed the
most intimate details Of the family his
tory. He relied for his defense, too. ON
the four sisters who still called him
brother. on his four years life with
Bertrande with her consent, and press
Ell her in the presence of the Judges to
swear that he WAS not her real hus-
band. declaring that if she so swore he
was ready to forfeit his head. Ber-
trande refused to take this oath. She
was confused by his confident manner.
In the trial 100 witnesses were exam
med. or this number forty deposed
that the man was the real Martin
Guerre, fifty deposed that he was Ar
nault du Tilh. and sixty declined to
pronounce any opinion, owing to the
extraordinary resemblance. In spite
of the conflicting evidence the Judge
pronounced him guilty. He at once
appealed to the parliament Of Tou-
louSe.
On this appeal thirty witnesses were
re-eXamined. Ten deposed that he was
Martin Guerre, eight that he was an
tmpostor, and the remainder confessed
that they We're too bewildered to have
any opinion. The judges were sorely
perpleXed and leaned to the side of the
prisoner.
By curious coincidence just ut this
Juncture the real Martin Guerre made
his appearance on the scene. He show.
ed the same marks on his face as those
borne by the prisoner. The men were
confronted with each other In court
Even the four sisters, who till now had
clung to their belief in the prisoner
confessed their mistake. The prisoner
lost his nerve. confessed his crime and
hauwpH fnroivnnnSS 10