Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-11-24
MISCELLANY
Tho Four HenrYs.


from the French, contains the account
of rather a singular rencontre of four
individuals, who made themselves pro-
minent in France during the middle
and end of the sixteenth century, aud
is as follows: Es
One stormy evening, rs the rain fell
in torrents, an Old woman, wi,o lived in
a miserable hut in the forest of st. Ger
main, and who passed n the surround
ing country for kind of witch, heard
loud knocking at the door. Sine open
ed it, and young man ON horseback
presented himself and craved hospita-
lily. -. - :
BY the dull light of lamp which she
held IN her hand she perceived him to
be 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 a youth of sixteen is like his
heart at the same age, craving, and not
difficult to please, and he Immediately
accepted the offer. A mOFsel of cheese
and loaf of black bread from the cup
board was all that the old dame could
produce.
the young nObleman; "Shis is ell that
your grinding tithes and taxes leave a
poor creature tO offer traveller; the
peasants, too, in this country, call me
witch and sOrceress, aud make that ex-
cEse to their conscience for stealing
from me the little that my poor old field
produces.
Ma fol-" said the Young man; eff
ever / become King of France, | will
suppress the taxes and teach people
better"
& God grant 1t, replied the old woman.
At these words the gentlemaIrdrew 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 per-
ceived 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 WaJ young, aud,
Judging from his appearance, of noble
descent. ~
''Whatl is it you, HenTy?" crie,l one.
"Yes, Henry" replied the other
Both We're named Henry.
The old woman discovered from their
conversation that they were of num-
Der of a large hunting party, conducted
by the King, Charles TX, which had
been dispersed by the storm.
Mother" said the second conner,
have you nothing better to offer us?''
Nothing" replied she.
''Then," said he, 1--WE will go shares. ~
Tue first Henry demurred, but glanc-
ing at the resOlute eye aud the strong
frame of the second Henry, said, In a
somewhat chagrined tone
agreed; we shall share equally"
He dared not express his secret mo-
tive, but he feared, if not sharing equal
", 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 third knock was heard
at the door. The meeting was again
singular. It was again youth, a noble
man and Henry. The old woman look
ed at them with astOnishment.
The first conner wished to hide the
bread and cheese. The second replaced
them on the table and laid his sword
by their side. The third Henry smiled.
.FYou do not wish. then, that | should
share your supper" said he "Weil! 4
4 IL.
1.-The supper" said the first Henry,
<'belOngs by right to the first conner"
@rIhe supper, said the second, ''be-
longs to him who knows best how to
defend itr'
The third Henry became Fton. Ch'S, n.
yer, and said, haughtily- PIT. M.liu"
Perhaps 1t belongs to him who
knows best how to fight for ii.
d
when the first Henry drew his poignard,
the two others their swords. As they
were Just beginning the affTay they
were startled by a fourth knock at the
cabin door, fourth yonng man, a fourth
nObleman, fourth Henry was intro
duced. At the sight of drawn swords
he produced his own, and, attaching
himself to the weakest party, he joined
IN the combat. 4 81 ...a .-sz-
The old woman, terrified, hid herself,
and the weapons struck everything in
their reach. The lamp fell down and
was extinguished, but they continued
to fight in the darkness. The noise of
the sword lasted some time aud then
gradually become less, and at length
ceased altogether. The old woman
yentured to issue forth from her hiding
place, aud, reminding the lamp she
perceived the four young men stretched
ON the ground, each having a slight
wound. She examined them carefully,
and found that fatigue, rather than loss
of blood, had overcome them.
they rose from the ground one after
the other and ashamed of what had
trauspired in the heat of their passion,
they began laughing and exclaimed:
Come, let us now sup together with
out any more fighting" -''
But when they came to lock for their
supper they found 1t on the ground, ali
trodden nnder foot and stained with
blood. Meagre as it was, they regret
ted 1t In addition to this the cabin
was destroyed, and the old witch. seated
sln a corner, fixed her pale, red eyes on
the four yOung men.
s'Why dost thou stare on us thus?
said lie first Henry, who was troubled
at her gaze.
81 am reading the fates written OF
your fOreheads," replied she. t-I
Phe secOnd-HeBFy communicative
sternly 10 disclose them, and the tive
others laughingly acquiesced. The OLD
woman replied
''As you have all four met in tn
cabin, SO shall you all meet IN Ink
destiny AS you have tTampled nnde
foot and stained with blood the breaI
offered You by hospitality, so will yol
trample under foot and stain witt
blood the power you might mutuall