The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-01-18

cling at the resolute eye, and the strong
frame of the second Henry, said in Q
somewhat chagrined tone
agreed; we shall share equally"
He dared not express his secret mo-
tive, but he feared, if not sharing equal
ly, 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 Il third knock was
heard at the door. 1t was again youth,
a nobleman, and Henry. The old
woman looked at them with astonish-
ment.
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 1 should
share your supper?" said he. "Well,
l can't wait; l have strong stomach" ;"
"The supper" said the first Henry,
"belongs 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
knows best how to fight for it,"
These words were scarcely uttered
when the first Henry drew his poignard
and the two others their swords. AS
they were just beginning the affray they
were startled by fourth knock at the
cabin door. A fourth young man, a
fourth nobleman, fourth Henry was
introduced. AT the sight of drawn
swords he produced his own, and at
taching himself to the weakest party,
joined in the combat.
The old woman, terrified, hid herself,
and the weapons struck everything in
their reach. The lamp fell down and
was cxtinguished, but they continued
to fight in the darkness. The noise of
the swords lasted some time, and then
gradually became less, and at length
ceased, altogether. The old woman
ventured to issue forth from her hiding
place, and, relighting 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
transpired in the heat of their passion,
they began laughing, and exclaimed:
"Come, letus now sup together, with
out any more fighting.
But when they come to look for their
supper they found it on the ground, all
trodden under foot and stained with
blood. Meagreas it was, they regretted it
In addition to this the cabin was des-
troyed, and the old witch, seated in a
corner, fixed her pale red eyes on the
four young men.
Why dost thou stare on us thus? "
said the first Henry, who was troubled
at her gaze.
81 am reading the fates written on
your foreheads," repIi d she.
The second Hen commanded her
sternly to disclose them, and the two
others laughingly acquiesced. The old
woman replied:-
As you have all four met in this
cabin, so shall you all meet in like
destiny. As you have trampled under
foot and stained with blood the bread
offered you by hospitality, so will you
trample under foot and stain with blood
the power you might mutually share. As
you have devastated and impoverished
this cottage, so will you devastate and
lay waste France. AS you have all four
been wounded in the darkness, so you
will all four perish by treason and
violent death"
The four young noblemcn could not
refrain from laughing at the heoldwoman's
prediction.
The four nobemcn were the four he
roes of the League; two as its leaders,
and two as its enemies.
Henry Of Conde poisoned by his wife
at Saint Jean d. Angcly.
Henry of Guise assassinatcd at Blois,
by the Forty-fve,
Henry of Valois assassinated by
Jacques Clement, at st. Cloud.
Henry of Bourbon; assassinatef at
Paris by Rayaillac.