The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-19
miscellaneous.
THE FOUR HENRYS.

| for a sorceress once dwelt in an humble
cabin in the forest of ST. German. One
evening, while the rain fell in torrents, she
heard knocking at her door, which, hastily
opening, she saw q cavalier who craved hos
pi,ality Putting his horse in q shed close Mt
hand, she babe him enter, and by the light OF
a smoky lamp observed that her guest was a
young gentleman; his person bespoke youth,
his dress was that of a man of rank. The
old woman stirred the fire to ruddy blaze,
and asked the youth if he would have some
thing to eat.
A stomach of 16 years is like heart of the
same age, eager and easily pleased. The
young man signifed his assent, and bit of
cheese and half loaf of bread were brought
from the cupboard, all the provisions the old
woman had
81 have not much" she said to him. This
is all have to offer chance visitor after
paying taxes and the excise on salt, without
taking into account the neighboring country
people, who call me sorceress and disciple
of the devil, in order that they may steal
with an easy conscience the products of my
small garden"
"By my soul !" said the stranger, "if l were
King of France, would suppress these i'm
posts, and thus benefit the people"
God hear you" responded the old woman,
At these words the young man approached
the table to partake of his frugal supper, but
ut the same instant another rap at the door
arrested his attention. The old woman
opened it and saw another cavalier drenched
with rain, who also asked shelter, which was
granted him, and who, having entered, she
saw that he too was young man and no.
BILE.
what, you here, Henry" said the new
conner.
Eyes, Henry" said the other.
Each called the other Henry, and the old
woman learned from their conversation that
they belonged TO q numerous party of hunts
men led by King Charles TX, and which the
storm had dispersed.
"Old woman" said the second conner, "hast
thou not something more to give us?"
Nothing" replied she.
"Then," said he, eve will divide this"
The first Henry made wry face, but OBJ
serving The resolute eye and sinewy presence
of the other, said In voice of chagrin, "Di-
vide it, then" and there was behind the
words this thought, which he did not venture
to express: divide, but deal fairly"
They seated themselves opposite each
other, and already one had cut the bread
with his dagger when a third knock was
heard at the door. The rencontre was sIngu-
lar; this was another young man, another
nobleman, another Henry. The old woman
looked on in grim surprise The first wish
ed to conceal the bread and cheese, the sec
ond replaced it on the table and laid his
sword beside it Z; the third Henry smiled
"You do not wish, then" said he, "to share
your supper with me. am very tired and
equally hungry"
THE supper by rights belongs to the first
conner" said the first Henry.
"The supper" said the second, "belongs to
the one who can best defend it."
The third Henry colored with anger and
said fercely
Perhaps it belongs to tie one who con-
quers it,"
These words were hardly spoken when the
first Henry drew his poignard, the other two
their swords. AS they were about to come
to blows fourth knock was heard and
fourth young man. fourth nobleman-a
fourth Henry-was introduced. At the
sight of the drawn swords he drew his own,
placed himself on the side of the most feeble
and attacked with force. The old woman in
dsmay concealed herself, for the clashing
swords seemed determined to strike what
ever came within their reach. Soon the
lamp fell, went out and each struck in the
dark. The noise of the swords lasted some
time, gradually subsidized, and finally ceased
altogether. Then the old woman ventured
to leave her hiding place. relit the lamp and
saw the four young men stretched on the
floor, each wounded. She examined them
fatigue, rather than loss of blood, had sus-
pended animosties, and raising themselves,
one after the other, ashamed of having
fought over so trif1ing matter they laugh
ed, and the first Henry said, "Come, let us
renew good feeling by partaking of this sup
per together" But when they looked for
tba f,nnI ha
pied under foot and mixed with blood, which,
simple as it was they regretted.
CHANGING to the other side of the cabin,
they found everything bore the marks of their
violence, and the old woman seated in one
corner, fixed her reddish-colored eyes upon
them.
"Why do you look at us thus fixedly ?"
said the first Henry, whom this glance trou-
bled.
81 see your destinies written on your fore
heads" she replied.
The second Henry rudely commanded her
to reveal to them what she saw, while the
others only laughed. She answered: GAS
you are all four united in this cabin, 80 you
will all four be united in the same destiny
as you have trampled under foot and mixed
with blood the bread that hospitality offered
you, SO you win trample under foot and mix
with blood the power you will share; as you
have devastated and impoverished this cabin,
30 you will devastate and impoverish France;
you have all four been wounded in the dark,
SO you will all four perish by treason and
violent DEATH"
The four young noblemen laughed derisive-
ly at this prediction as they flung her some
gold and prepared to leave the cabin, but the
sequel testified 10 her prophetic power.
These four mobiles were the four heroes of
the league, two as its chiefs, and two as its
enemies.
Henry of Condo, poisoned by his servants.
Henry of Guise, assassinated by the Forty
five.
Henry of Valois Henry lily assassinated
by Jacques Clement.
Henry of Bourbon QV) assassinated by
Ravaillac.