Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-03-18
The Four Henry's.

One stormy evening as the rain fell In tor
rents, an old woman VIII o lived in a miserable
hut, in the forest Of St Germain, and who
passed in the surrounding country for a kind
of witch, heard a loud knocking at her door.
She opened it, young man on horseback
presented himself and craved hospitality
BY the dull light of lamp, which she held
in her hand. she perceived him to be a young
nobleman. He appeared to be quite young,
and his dress denoted rank. The old woman
lighted fire, and inquired of the stranger
whether he was hungry and desired food The
appetite of youth of sixteen is like his heart
at the same ago, craving and not difficult 10
please. and he Immediately accepted her offer.
A morsel of cheese and loaf Of black bread
from the cupboard was all the old dame could
produce.
q have nothing MORE" said she to the
young nobleman . this is all your grinding
tithes and taxes leaves poor creature to offer
q traveller: the peasants, too, in this country.
call ne q witch and sorceress, and make that
an excuse to their consciences for stealing
from me the little thatm poor field prOdu-
ces."
(. ia fir said the young man. if ever
become king of France, [ will suppress the
taxes. and teach the people better"
q Gcd grant Il ~ replied the old woman
At these words the gentleman drew to the
table to commence his repes: but at the same
moment fresh knock at the door arrested
him
The old woman opened il, and perceived
another horseman drcuched with rain, WHO
also begged for shelter. The same hospital
ity was instantly granted to Aii;ss, a:.a on the
strangers entrance, she perceived that he too
was young, and, judging from his appearance,
of noble descent
& What is it you, Henry y cried enc.
Yes, Henry" replied the other Both
were named Henry.
Tue cid woman discovered from their con-
versation that they were of the number of
large hunting party eonducted by the king,
Charles X, which had been dispersed by the
storm.
Mother" said the second conner, g have
you nothing better 10 effer us z
:. Nothing she replied
Then" said he, :. we will go shares
The first Henry demured, but gancing at
the resoute eye and stropg frame of the sec
ond Henry, said, in somewhat cbagrined
Agreed !; we viii share equally"
He dared not express his secret motive,
but he feared, if not sharing equally has com
panion would appropriate the whole They
acc ccordingly sat down on either side OF the ta-
bic, and one had already begun to cut the
bread with his dagger, when third knock
was heard at the dooI. The meeting was In
deed singular 1t was again youth, no
bleman, and Henry. The old woman look
ed at them with amazement.
The first conner wished to hide the bread
and cheese the second replaced theu on the
table. and laid his sword by his side. The
third Henry smiled
..You do not wish, then. that L should
share your supper" said he. s" Well, | can't
wait I have strong stomach.
..The supper" said Henry, belongs by
right, to the first conner
"The SUPPER said the second. :. belongs
n him who knows best how to defend it..
The third Henry became red with anger,
and said haughtiiy. Perhaps !. belongs 10
him who knows best how TO fight for IT.
These words were scarcely uttered when
the frst Henry drew his poinard The two |
others their swords As they were just be- |
ginning the aifray they were startled by
fourth knock at the cabin door a fourth |
vouno man. fourth nobleman, fourth Hen |
~ IS introduced. At the sight of drawn |
swords he produced his own, and attaching
himself to the weakest party, he joined IN the
combat. The old woman terrified, hid her. |
self. and the weapons strike everything IN their
reach The lamp fell down aud was e1tin-