The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-12-06
THE FOUR ;iENRYS.

ihe following strange tale, translated
fron, the French, contains the account
of rather a singular rencoLtre of four
individuals, who made themselves prom
i3ent in France during the middle and
emf 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 Sc Ger
maia, and who passed in the surrounding
country for kind of witch, heard a
loud knocking at her door. She opened
1t, and young man on horseback pre-
sented himself and craved hospitality
BY the dull light of a 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 APP,
petite of youth of sixteen is like his
heart at the same age, craving and not
difficult to please, and he imm ediately
accepted the offer. A morsel oi cheese
and loaf of black bread from the cup
board was all that the old dame could
produce.
Il have nothing more," she said TO the
Young nobleman. .'this is all that your
grinding tithes and taxes leave poor
creature to offer a traveller; the peasants,
too, in this country, call me a witch
and sorceress, and make that excuse to
their conscience TOR stealing from me the
little that my poor old field produces
Ma foil" said the Young man, '.if ever
I become King of France. l will sup
press the tax, S and teach people better"
God grant it, replied the old " woInap.
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 perceiv-
ed another horseman drenched with rain,
who also begged for shelter The same
hospitality was instantly granted him,
and on the strangers 5 entrance, she per-
ceived that the man was young and,
Judging from his appearance. OF noble
descent.
w hat. is it you. Henry cried one.
Yes, Henry replied the other. Both
were named Henry
Tie Old woman discovered from their
conversation that they were of a num-
ber OF a large hunting party, conducted
by the King, Charles IX, which had been
dispersed Dy the storm.
Mother, said the second conner, shave
you nothing better to offer US?
Nothing, replied she.
Thee, said he, we will go shares
The first Henry demurred, but glanc-
ing at the resolute eye aud strong frame
OF the second Henry. said, in somewhat
chagrined tone
Agreed, We sh all share equally
lie dared not express his recret motive,
but he feared, if not sharing equally, his
companion would appropriate the whole
They accordingly sat down on either
side OF the table, and one bad already
when third knock was heard at the
door. Tue meeting Was indeed singular
1t was again youth, q nobleman and a
Henry Tie old woman looked 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.
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 belongs
to him who knows best how to defend
it,
The third Henry became red with
anger, and said. haughtily:
'Perhapsit belongs to him who knows
best how to fight for it,
These words we're scarcely uttered