Milford chronicle., 1911-10-06
The -FOUR HENRYS
One OF the Most Dramatic Of the
Legends of France.
"A MEETING AND A WARNING.


there is none more dramatic than that
pertaining to the four Henrys" The
tradition is that on a wintry night as
the rain fell IN torrents an old woman
who passed in the country for witch
aud who inhabited a misera Bile cabin
in the forest of St German was
aroused by a loud knocking at her
door She opened it and saw cava
der, who requested hospitality. a
scrap Of cheese and a morSel Of black
bread were all she set before him
Il have nothing more" said she
"See, here is all that tithes. taxes, sub
sidies and other extortions have left
me to offer distressed travellers. be
sides which my neighbors call me
witch and rob me Of the produce OF
my little farm"
"'Tis a cruel situation" said the
young man. "and were l king of
France l would suppress the taxes"
God hears you" answered the old
woman.
The cavalier was about to commence
his repast when a fresh knock at the
door restrained him. Again a gentle
man. drenched with rain. demanded
shelter.
rs that you. HenryY" said the one.
1T 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 a storm.
My good woman" said the second
conner, have you naught else to offer
IusT"
Nothing" was the reply.
We'll, then" said the other. 1--WE
must divide it,"
The first Henry gave signs OF 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
"a third blow was struck at the door
Again a young nobeman entered ,
again a Henry. The meeting was
most singular
The first Henry endeavored to hide :
the bread and cheese. The second re :
placed it on the table and set bis ,
sword by his side. The third Henry 9
smiled :
what! VIII you spare me none of 4
your supper then?" said he. h
'The supper" said the first Henry. p
rightly belongs to the first conner" :,
''The supper" said the second Henry, ii
belongs Of right TO him who knows 6,
best how to defend it." a
The third Henry coored and said p,
Perhaps it rather belongs NJ
10 him who knows best how to win it." q
At these words the first Henry drew
lis dagger. the two others their e.
words. They had scarce made a few si
passes when a fourth blow was heard ~
It the door. The portal opened. a N
ourth Henry appeared. es
AT the sight of the naked swords 20
he last conner drew his own and. TAX bC
ng the weakest side, fought vigorous cl,
The old woman. frightened, hid her ~.
ELF. and it was well that she did for co
he swords dashed to pieces every do
hing that came in their way The br.
imp fell. was extinguished. and all an
our fought in the dark. The noise n,
the swords lasted for some time 40
Mt gradually died away Then the no,
Id woman crept out Of her hiding 90,
lace. relit the lamp and behed the cd
Dur cOmbatantS stretched on the door co,
be examined them. Fatigue had over 90,
Dwered them more than loss of blood tbo
They rose up one after another. for
lhamed of what they had done 5cl
Come" said one; LET us now sup with
nod humor and without quarTeling"
But on looking for the supper they r
,rceived 1t lying on the floor soiled ira
lth their feet and stained with blood for
The old woman. sitting in a corner. Of
led her dark eyes on the authors of tur,
e mischief cat,
Why do you look at us in that man. wa,
r" demanded the first Henry. in Z
l see your destinies written in your self
-eheads." answered the injured wo mas
IN. 1ect
The second Henry harshly command him
her to reveal them. The two 9th pose
laughed outright. ant
WIN OutStreiched arms the old WO Wer
n replied: "As you all four have
n united in this cabin. you will AN
reunited in one and the same des TIL
:. As Won have trodden underfoot writ,
sOiled with blood the bread Of hos nizeC
lity. you will trample underfoot and here.
with blood the power Of which you l ha
partake AS you have impover I've
d and devastated this dwelling. you pard,
devastate and impoverish France whic
you have all four been wounded in
dark. you will all perish by treason
a violent death" The
ese four Henrys were the four he ley v
of the ieague-twO as its chiefs altho
two, as its enemies-Henry OF Ike
Ie. poisoned at st. Jean d'Angely strenl
is wife, Henry of Guise, assassi riors
! at Blois by the Forty five; Henry drink
ilois Qenry III), assassinated by Evil
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