The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-12-19
The -Four Henry's.

The Four Henry's.
The following strange tale, translated
from the French, contains the account 81
rather angular rencontre of four::individ
uals, who made themselves prominent in
France during the middle and end of the
sixteenth century, and is as follows:
One stormy evening, as the rain fell in
torrents, an old woman, who lived in mis-.
cradle hut in the forest of St. German,
and who passed in the surrounding coun.
try for kind Of witch, heard q loud
knocking at the door. She opened it, and
a young man on horseback presented h,m.
self and craved hospitality.
BY the dull light Of lamp which she
held in her hand she perceived him to be O
young nobleman. lie appeared to be quite
young, and his dress denoted rank. The
old woman lighted a 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 aoe.
craving, and not difficult to please. A NOR
sci Of cheese ana rss Loaf al # lss hask AFsAd md
dame could produce.
II have nothing more," she said to the
young nOblcman ''this is all that your
grinding tithes and taxes leave poor
creature to offer traveller; the peasants,
too, in this country, call me witch and a
sorceress, and make that excuse to their
conscience for stealing from me the little
that my poor old field produces
..Ma foi, said the young man ''if ev-
er become King of France, will sup
press the taxes and teach people better"
.'God grant it," replied the old woman.
At these words the gentleman drew to
the table to commence his repast but al
the same moment o fresh knock at the
door arrested him.
The old woman opened it, and perceiv.
ed another horseman drenched with rain
who also begged for shelter. The same
hospitality was instantly granted him, and
on the strangers entrance. she perceived
that the man was young, and Judging
from his appearance, Of noble descent.
'What is it you, Henry" cried one.
"Yes, Henry replied the other. Boil
were uau>eA Henry.
The old woman discovered from thei,
conversation that they were of nambe,
King. Charles H., which had been dis lis
persed by the storm.
''Mother," said the second conner, "hav'
you nothing better to offer US ?''
"Nothing," replied she.
"Then," said he, 1--WE will 20 shares"
The first Henry demurfed, but glancin;
at the resolute eye and the strong frame o
the second Henry, said, in . somewha
chagrined tone
"Agreed we shall share equally"
He dared not express his secret motive
but he feared, if not sharing equally, hi
companion would appropriate the whole
They accordingly sat down on either sid'
Of the table, and one had already begun t,
cut the bread with his dagger, when
third knock was heard at the door. Th,
meeting was again singular. 1t was agar
q youth, nobleman and Henry. Th,
old woman looked ut them with astonish
ment.
The first conner wished to hide tn
bread and cheese. The second replaces
them on the table and laid his sword b,
their side. The third Henry smiled.
"You do not wish, then, that shoult
share your supper? p said he. "Well,
can wait; have strong stomach"
"The supper" said the first Henry
"belongs by right to the first conner"
"The supper" said the second, "belong
to him who knows best how to defend it.
The third Henry became red with anger
and said, haughtily-
"Perhaps it belongs to him who know
best how to fight for it,
These words were scarcely uttered whel
the FIRST Henry drew his poignard, the tw
others their swords; but as they were jus
beginning the afiray they were startled b
q fourth knock ct the cabin door, . tourt
young man, fourth nobleman, . fourt
Henry was introduced. At the sight 9
drawn swords he produced his own, and
attaching himself to the weakest party, b
Joined in the combat.
The old woman, terrified, hid herself
and the weapons struck everything in thei
reach. The lamp fell down and was extiu
guishsd, but they continued to fight in th
darkness. The noise Of the sword Taste
some time and then gradually became les!
and at length ceased altogether. The ol
woman ventured to issue forth from he
hiding place, and rekindling the lamp sh
perceived the four young men stretched o
the ground, each having slight wound
She examined them carefully, and foun
that fatigue, rather than lossaf blood. ha
oyercome them.
They rose from the ground one after a
other and ashamed Of what had transpire
lin tho heat Of their passion, they begs
Laughing and exclaimed:
'Come, lot vs. now sup together wltho'
any more fighting"
But when they came to look for the
SnnnaN Ahas En,1n6 n IN fhA rr0und.