The daily Alaskan., 1911-11-27
THE FOUR HENRYS
One of the Most Dramatic of the
 Legends of France.
A MEETING AND A WARNING.
The Dire Prediction Ths, Was Hurled st Them After Duel ln the Dark end the Way the Fstefu Prophecy Became a Matter of History.

Became a Matter oi History.
 Of al the French historical legends there Is none mure dFumatic than that pertair,ing to the four uengs The tradition Is that on wintry night as the rain fell in torrents an old woman who p,ssed iu the country foe a witch and who inhabited a miserable cabin in th,, forest of st. GermaiR was aroused by loud knocking at her door She opened 1t and saw a caya- Her. who requested hospitality. A scrap Of cheese and morsel of black bread were all she set before him.
 .I have nothing moro" said she. "sce. here Is an thHt tithes, taxes, sub sidles and other extortions have left mo te, offer distressed travellers, be sides which my uelghbors call me n witch and rob me Of the produce Of my little farm"
 ITS a cruel situation" said the young man. "and were l king Of France would suppress the taxes
 "Goa hears you" answered the old wOman.
 The cavalier was about to commence his rs,past when a fresh knock at the door restrained him. Again gentle man. drenched with rain, demanded shelter
 "Is that you. Henry1" said the one.
 "It Is. Henry" replied the other.
 The old woman discovered from their conversation thnt they belonged to numerous hunting party led by King Charles K. and that they had been dispersed by storm.
 Mt good woman" said the second comer. "hnve you naught else to ofier NsT'
 sNothing," was the reply.
 swell. then said the other. we must 6lride it.
 Tn, first Henry gave signs ot re- fusal. but. observing the resolute eye and naughty bearing ot the second, De replfkd in Q tone of chagrin:
 STsst us divide it- then.
 Tbhv sat down opposite each other and one had already commenced cut fine tbe bread with his dagger when a thIrd blow was struck at the door Aeaip a young nobleman entered -gci,in Henry The meeting was most singular.
 The first Henry endcavored Co hiae tbe bread end cheese. The second re n,acsd it on the table and set ms swotd by his side. The third Henry smiled.
 "v-hatl win you spare me none or vour supper. thenY7 said he.
 ,sTbe gupper." said the first Henry. rightly belongs to the first comer
 .sThe supper" said inc second Henry '7,elpngs Of right 10 him who knows best how Co defend it-'
 The third Henry colcred and saia hsurhtily. Perhaps 1t rather belongs to him who knows best how Co win it
 Al these words the first Henry drew iSs dagger tbe two others tner swords. They had scarce made a iew .pass.es when a fourth blow was beard at tIsa door The portal opened. A fouith Henry. appeared.
 A4 sbe sIcnt Of the naked swords the last comer drew his own and, tax ing the weakest side. fought vigorous ty.
 The old woman. frightened, hid her. self and It was wgll that she did, Tor the swords dashed to pieces every thing that came in their way. The lsrrin fell was eNtineuished, and all four fought in the dark. The noise of the swor,ls lasted for some time bat gradually died away Then the old woman crept out of her hiding place relit the lamp and bcheld the four combatants stretched on the Boor She examined them Fatigue had over poyrered them more than loss or blood.
 They rose up one after another ashamed of what they had done aC,u,e." said one: '1et us now sup wtth rotd hnmor and without quarreling'
 Fat 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 a corner, ax,Na Der dark eyes on the authors or the mischief
 "why do Tou look at us in that man. nei." demanded the first Henry.
 q see your destinies written In your foteheads." answered the injured wo- min.
 The second Henry harshly command ed her to reveal them The two oth- eus laughed outright.
 With outstretched arms the old wo u1nn replied: "As you Hil four Bgfe been united in this cabin, you will su be reunited in one and the same 1es- ,irty. As you have trodden underfoot and soIled with blood the bread of hos pItality, you will trample underfoot ahd soIl with blood the power Of which you win partake. As you have iuipover- lsbed and devastated this dwelling you win devastate and iurpoverish France As you have ail four been wounded in the dark. you will an perish by treason and a violent death"
 These four Henrys were the feur ne rc.es of the league-two as It's chiels and two as it's enemies-Henry or
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