The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1912-01-05
THE -FOUR HENRYS
One Of the Most Dramatic Of the
Legends of France.
A MEETING AND A WARNING.
The Dire Prediction That Was Hurled
at Them After Duel In the Dark
and the Way the Hateful Prophecy
Became . Matter Of History.


OF all the French historical legends
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 miserable cabin
in the forest of st. German was
aroused by loud knocking at her
door. She opened 1t and saw a cava.
lier. 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.
"Sce. here IL 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 Of
my little farm
Tits a cruel situation" said the
young man. land were king Of
France would suppress the taxes"
God hears you" answered the old
woman.
The cavalier was about to commence
his repast when u fresh knock at the
door restrained him. Again gentle
man. drenched with rain. demanded
shelter
lis that you. Henry?" said the one.
1T Is. Henry" replied the other.
The old woman discovered from
their conversation that they belonged
to 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
usi''
Nothing" was the reply.
well. then" said the other. I'VE
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 tone of chagrin:
LET us divide it. then"
They sat down opposite each other.
end one had already commenced cut
ding the bread with his dagger when
q third blow was struck at the door
Again young nobleman entered
-ngain 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 his
sword by his side. The third Henry
smiled.
what! Will you spare me none Of ,
your supper. them" said he.
1.-THE supper" said the first Henry.
rightly belongs to the first conner"
1.-THE supper" said the second Henry,
belongs of right to him who knows
best how to defend It,"
The third Henry colored and said |
Perhaps 1t rather belongs
to him who knows best how to win it." |
At these words the flrst Henry drew |
his dagger. the two others their |
swords. They had scarce made a few
passes when fourth blow was heard
ut the door. The portal opened. A.
fourth Henry appeared.
Al the sight of the naked swords !!
the last conner drew his own and, TAX
ing the weakest side, fought vigorous
~.
The old woman. frightened. hid her
self. and It 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 dirk. The noise
Of the swords lasted for some time.
but gradually died away. Then the
Did woman crept out Of her hiding
place. relit the lamp and beheld the
four combatants stretched on the loor.
She examined them Fatigue had over.
powered them more than loss Of blood.
Ihey rose up one after another.
ashamed OF what they had done
Come" said one: "let us now sup with
rood humor and without quarreling."
But on looking for the supper they
perceived it lying on the door, soiled
With their feet and stained with blood.
The old woman, sitting in a corner,
ixed her dark eyes on the authors of
he mischief.
why do you look al us In that man.
'er' demanded the first Henry.
i see your destinies written in your
oreheads." answered the injured wo.
ban.
The second Henry harshly command.
d her to reveal them. The two 9th
rs laughed outright.
With outstretched arms the old wo
'an replied: "As you all four have
cen united in this cabin, you will all
e reunited In one and the same des.
ny. As you have trodden underfoot
nd soiled with blood the bread of hos.
itality, you will trample underfoot and
Dill with blood the power Of which you
I'LL partake. As you have Empower
he'd and devastated this dwelling, yon
Ill devastate and impoverish France
8 you have all four been wounded IN
le dark. you will all perish by treason
nd violent death" =
These four Henrys were the four he
'es OF the league-two as its chiefs
I'd two as its enemies-Henry OF r
onde. poisoned at st. Jean d'Angc!y =,
his wife; Henry OF Guise, assassi OF
tied at Blois by the Forty five; Henry *
Valois Henry I1I.). assassinated by ne
lcQues Clement at st, Cloud: Henry r