The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-10-06
The four KENRYS
One of the Most Dramatic of the
Legends of France.
A MEETING AND A WARNING,
The Dire Prediction That Was Hurled
at Them After a Duel In tho Dark
and the Way the FatefuI Prophecy
Became Matter of History.

VI all tue rEeHcu HlSIOTlcdl IeBeuuS
there is none more dramatic than that
pertaining to "the four Henrys." The
tradition is that on wintry night as
the rain fell in torrents an old woman
who passed in the country for witch
and who inhabited q miserable cabin
In the forest of ST. Germain was
aroused by a loud knocking at her
door. She opened it and saw a cava-
lier, who requested hospitality. A
scrap of cheese and a morsel OF black
bread were all she set before him.
81 have nothing more" said she.
"See, here is all that tithes, taxes, sub
sides and other extortions have left
me to offer distressed travellers, be-
sides which my neighbors call me
witch and rob me Of the produce or
my little farm"
"'Tis a cruel situation" said the
young man, land were / king or
France / would suppress the taxes"
God hears you" answered the old
woman.
The cavalier was about TO commence
his repast when q fresh knock at the
door restrained him. Again a gentle
man, drenched with rain, demanded
shelter
'Is that you, Henry" said the one.
"It Is. Henry" replied the other.
The old woman discovered from
their conversation that they belonged
to a numerous hunting party led by
King Charles TX. and that they had
been dispersed by storm.
my good woman" said the second
conner, shave you naught else to offer
us?"
Nothing" was the reply.
| "Well, then" said the other, I'VE
must divide It,"
The first Henry gave signs or re-
fusal but, observing the resolute eye
and naughty bearing Of the second, he
replied In a tone Of chagrin:
"Let us divide it, then"
They sat down opposite each other,
and one had already commenced cut
ting the bread with his dagger when
third blow was struck at the door.
Again young nobleman entered
again a Henry. The meeting was
most singular.
The first Henry endeavored to hide
the bread and cheese. The second re-
placed ii on the table and set his
sword by his side. The third Henry
smiled.
"What! VIII you spare me none of
your supper, then" said he.
'The supper" said the first Henry,
rightly belongs to the first conner"
'oThe supper" said the second Henry.
'belongs Of right to him who knows
best how to defend It,"
The third Henry colored and said
haughtily, Perhaps it rather belongs
to him who knows best how to win it."
At these words the first Henry drew
his dagger, the two others their
swords. They had scarce made few
passes when a fourth blow was heard
Mt the door. The portal opened. A
fourth Henry appeared.
AT the sight Of the naked swords
the last conner drew his own and, TAX
ing the weakest side, fought vigorous
| ly.
| self. and Il was well that she did. for
| the swords dashed to pieces every
| thing that came In their way. The
| lamp fell. was eXtinguished, and all
| four fought in the dark. The noise
| of the swords lasted for some time.
but gradually died away. Then the
| old woman crept out Of her hiding
place, relit the lamp and beheld the
four combatants stretched on the floor.
She examined them. Fatigue had over
powered them more than loss of blood.
They rose up one after another,
ashamed of what they had done.
"Come." said one; "let us now sup with
good humor and without quareling."
But on looking for the supper they
perceived it lying on the floor. soiled
with their feet and stained with blood
The old woman, sitting in n corner,
fixed her dark eyes on the authors Of
the mischief.
"Why do you look at us in that man.
ner" demanded the first Henry.
81 see your destinies written in your
foreheads," answered the injured wo'
man.
The second Henry harshly command
ed her TO reveal them. The two 9th
ers laughed outright
With outstretched arms the old wo
man replied: "As you all four have
been united in this cabin, you will all
be reunited In one and the same des
tiny. AS you have trodden underfoot
and soiled with blood the bread OF hos
pitality, you will trample underfoot and
soil with blood the power of which you
will partake. As you have impover
ished and devastated this dwelling. yor
will devastate and impoverish France
As you have all four been wounded In
the dark, you Will all perish by treason
and q violent death"
These four Henrys were the four he
toes OF the league-two as its chief'
and two as its enemies-Henry OF