The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-06-18
5flGttllallu,
THE FOUR HENRYS.

ihc IoiIoWlnS strange tale, not, howcv-
er, without some interest, is translated
from the French.
1t contains tho account ofrather a strange
| rencounue Of four individuals, who made
themselves prominent in France, during
the middle and end of the sixteenth cen
tury, and is as follows:
One stormy evening as the rain fell in
torrents, an old woman who lived in a
miserable hut, in the forest of ST. German,
and who passed in the surrounding coun.
try tor kind of witch, heard loud knock.
ing at her door. She opened l., Young
man on horseback presented himself, and
craved hospitality.
By the dull light Of a lamp which she
held IN her hand, she perceived him 10
he young nob!cman. lie a, peared 10
be quite young, and his dress denoted
rank. The old woman lighted fire. aud
inquired whether he Was hungry and do.
sired food. The appetite of a youth at
sixteen Is like his heart at the snme age,
craving and not difficult to please, and he
immediately accepted her offer. A NOR
sci OF cheese and loaf Of black bread
from the cupboard was all the old dame
could produce.
81 have nothing more" said she to the
young noIleman; ,n.s is all your grinding
theS and taxes leave a poor creature to
otier traveller; the peasants, too, in this
country, call me a witch and sorceress.
and make that excuse TO their conscience.
Tor stealing from me the l,t'e that my poor
old field produces"
MA Joe ~ sail the young man, "if ev-
er become king Of France, | will sun.
press the taxes, and teach the people be-
ter"
"God grant 1t ~ said the old woman.
At these words the gentleman drew to
the table 10 commence his repast; but, at
The SAFE moment, Il fresh knock at the
door arrested him.
The old woman opened it, and percciv-
ed another horscman, drenched with rain.
who also Icggcl for shelter. The same
hospitality WAS Instantly granted him, ami
on tae strangers entrance she perceived
that he too WAS young, and Judging from
his appearance, of noble descent.
What is it you Henry Z" cried one.
Yes, Henry" replied the ether one {;
both were named Henry.
TNe old woman discovered from their
conversation, that they were of the num-
Der OF a large hurting parry, conducted toy
the King, Charles IN, which had been
dispersed by tho storm.
Mother" said the seconi conner, "have
you nothing better to offer US 2"
Nothing" replied she.
Then" said he, "wc will GO shares"
The first Henry dcmured but glancinc
at the resolute eye and strong frame of the
second Henry, said, in somewhat chac.
rincd tone
agreed; we will share equally"
lie dared not express his secret motive,
but he feared, ifnot sharing equally, his
companion would appropriate the whole.
They accordingly sat down on either side
Of the table, and one had already begun
to cut the bread with his dagger, when a
ihlrJ knock was heard at the door. The
meeting was indeed singular. 1t was again
youth, noblcman, and Henry. The
old woman looked at them with amaze.
men..
The first conner wished to hide the bread
and cheese, the second replaced them on
the tab, and laid his sword by the side
The third Henry smiled.
OH do not wish then shat I should
share your supper" said be. "WeH, |
can wait, | have strong stomach"
"Thc supper" said the first Henry, "be-
longs, by right, to the first conner"
"The supper" replied the second, "be.
longs to him who knows best how to de-
fcnd it,"
The Il id Henry became red with an
ger, and SAID, haughtiy,
Perhaps it belongs to him who knows
best how to fight for it,"
These words were scarcely uttered.
when tie first Henry drew his poionard;
the two Others their swords. As thew
we're first beginning the aifray they were
startled by fourth knock at the cabin
door; fourth young man, a fourth no.
b!"man, and fourth Henry is introduced.
At the sight Of drawn swords he prod Iced
his own, and attaching himself to the
weakest party, lie Joined in the combat
The old woman, terrified, hid herself,
and the weapons strike everything in their
reach. The lamp fell down and was ex.
iinguished, but they continued to fight
in the darkness. The noise Of the swords
lasted some time, then gradually became
less, and at length ceased altogether
Then tae old woman ventured to issue
forth from her hiding place, and rekind
ling tho lamp, she percsiyed the four
Young men stretched on the ground, each
having a slight wound. She examined
them carefully, and found that fatigue,
rather than the loss Of blood had over
come them.
They rose from the ground one after
the other, ashamed Of what had transpi-
red in the heat of their passion, they began
laughing, and exclaimed;