Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-11-23
THE FOUR HENRYS.

The following strange tale, translated
from the French, contains the account Of
rather singular rencontre of four indi-
viduals, 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 a
miserable hut in the forest of st. Ger
main, and who passed in the surrounding
country for kind of witch, heard loud
knocking at her door. She opened it,
and ayoung man on horseback presented
himself and craved her 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 in
quired Of the stranger whether he was
hungry and desired food. The appetite
of youth of sixteen is like his heart at
the same age-craving and not difficult
to please-and he Immediately accepted
the offer. A morsel of cheese and a loaf
of black bread from the cupboard was all
that the old dame could produce.
II have nothing more" she said to the
Young nobleman; "this is all that your
grinding tithes and taxes leave poor
creature to offer traveller. The peas
ants, too, call me witch and sorceress,
and make that excuse to their conscience
for stealing from me the little that my
poor old field produces"
"Ma fol p said the young man; "if
ever | become King of France, / will
suppress the taxes and teach the people
better"
"God grant it, said the old woman.
At these words the gentleman drew to
the table to commence his repast but at
the same moment fresh knock at the
door arrested him.
The old woman opened it and perceived
another horseman drenched with rain,
who also begged for shelter. The same
hospitality was instantly granted him,
and on tho strangers entrance, she per-
ceiyed that the man was young, and
judging from his appearance, of noble
descent
"What is it you, Henry p cried one.
"Yes, Henry" replied the other. Both
we're named Henry.
The old woman discovered from their
conversation that both were of a number
of a large hunting party conducted by
the King, Charles *, which had been
dispersed by the storm.
dMother," said the second conner,
"have you nothing better to offer us p
Nothing" replied she.
"Then," said he, I've will 60 shares"
The first Henry demurred, but glancing
at the resolute eye and strong frame of
the second Henry, said, in somewhat
chagyined tone
Agreed, VIC shall share equally"
He dared not express bis secret motive,
but he feared, if not sharing equally, bis
companion would appropriate the whole.
They accordingly sat down on either side
of tha table, and one had already begun
TO eat the bread with his dagger, when
third knock was heard al tie door. The
mesting was indeed singular. II vas
again a youth, nobleman and Henry.
The old yomap looked at them with as
tosishment ,., =,
The first conner wished to bi4e the
bread and cheese. The second replaced
them on the table and laid his sword by
their side. The third Henry smiled.
"You do not wish then, that should
share your supper" 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, be
longs TO him who knows best how to de-
fend it.
The third Henry became red with an
ger. and said haughtily:
perhaps it belongs to him who knows
best how to fight for it.
These words were scarcely uttered
when the first Henry drew his poignard,
the two others their swords. As they
Vare lust beginning the atfray they were
startled by a fourth knock at the cabin
door. fourth young man, fourth
nobleman. a fourth Henry was intro
duced. At the sight of draTn swords be
produced his own, and attaching hum
self to the weakest party, he joined IN
the combat 3.
The old woman, terrified, hid herself,
and the weapons struck everything IN
their reach. The lamp fell down and was
but they continued to Eight
in the darkness. The noise Of the swords
lasted some time. then gradually became
less. and at length ceased altogether.
The old woman Ventured to issue forth
from her hiding place, and, rekindling
the lamp, she perceived the four young
men stretched on the ground, each hav-
Ing a slight wound. She examined them
earefallF, and found that fatigue rather
,Laa los Of bleed, had overcome them.
They rose from the ground, one after
he other, aBd ashamed Of What bad trans