The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-11-09
Selctted Misfrllann,
The Four HEenrys.

|. The following strange tale, Translated
from therFrench. contains the account o
rather singular rencontre of four individu
ais 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-
erable hut in the forest of St. German. and
who passed in the surrounding country for
a kind of WITCH heard a loud knocking at
her door. She opened it, and a young man
on horseback presented himself and craved
hospitality.
By the dull light of lamp which she
heldeip her hand, she perceived him TO be a
young nobleman. He appeared to be quite
young, aud 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 age,
craving and not difficult to pease, and he
immediately accepted the offer A morsel
OF cheese and loaf of black bread from the
cupboard was all that the old dame could
produce. z
" have nothing more" she said to the
young nobleman; this is all that your
grindingntithes and taxes leave poor creg-
ture to offer traveller; the peasants, too,
in this country, call me witch and sorctr.
ess, and make that excuse to their conscience
for Stealing from me the littlc that my poor
old field produces" "ceDcrl ,.e,s.r
Ma for said the young man o. if ever
| become King of France, l will suppress
the taxes and teach people better"
" God grant it " replied the old woman.
AT these words the gentleman drew to
the tableito commence his repast but at
the same moment a fresh knock at the door
arrested him.
The old woman opened II, and perceived
another horseman drenched with rain, who
aiso begged for shelter. The same hospi-
talliy was instantly granted him, and on the
strangers entrance, she perceived that the
man was young. and, Judging from his ap.
pearance, of noble descent.
What is it you, Henry:' cried one
Yes, Henry replied the other. Both
were named Henry.
The old woman discover ed from their CON
versation that they were Of a humber of
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.
Them said he, I'VE will go shares"
The first Henry demurred, but gIaneing
ut the resolute eye aud strong frame oil the |
second Henry, said, in somewhat chOgrined
tone tr tntac
Agreed we shall share equally"
He dared not express his secret motive, !
but he feared, if not sharing equally, his |
would appropriate the whole
They accordingly sat down on either side |
1f the table, and ono had already begun TO
eat fhe bread withhis dagger, when q third
knock was heard at tho door. The meet.
ng was indeed singular. 1t was again a
youth, nobleman and u Henry. The old
woman looked at them with establishment.
The first conner wished to Hide the bread
md cheese. The second replaced them on
he table, and laid his swOrd by their side.
The third Henry smiled. Issr af
You do not wish, then, that ! should
hare your supper" said he. 10 Well, can
wait; l have a strong stomach"
The supper" said the first Henry, be-
ongs, by right, to the first comeTh
4" The supper" said the aecond, a belongs
o him who knows best how to defend it!r
The third Henry became red with anger |.
nd said haughtily: ifi rria gfr-sI i
"Perhaps il belongs 70 him who knows
'est how 20 light for it, y. r.' itd.i