The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-06-13
The FOUR HENRYS
One of TIE Most Dramatic of the
Legends of France.
A MEETING AND A WARNING.
The Dire Prediction That Was Hurled
at Them After Due! In tho Dark
and the Way the Fateful Prophecy
Became a Matter Of History.


at Them After a Due! In tho Dark
and the Way the Fstefu! Prophecy
Became Matter Of History
or all the French historical legends
there is none more dramatic than that
pertaining to the four Henrys. The
tradition is that Oh a wintsy night as
the rain fell in.torrents an old woman
who passed in the country for witch
and who inhabited misera bic cabin
in the forest Of st. Germain was
aroused by Il loud knocking ut her
door. She opened it and saw cava
iier. 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 cruel situation" said the
young man. land We're king of
France would suppress the taxes
God hears you" answered the old
woman.
The cavalier was about to commence
his repast when 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
us?'
Nothing" was the reply.
We'll. 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 Il tone of cLagrin:
Let us divide it. then"
They sat down opposite each other.
and one had already commenced cut
ting the bread with his dagger when
Il third blow was struck at the door
Again young nobleman entered
again 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. then?" said be.
THE supper" said the first Henry
rightly belongs to the first conner"
''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 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 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.
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 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
them more than loss Of blood
They rose up one after another.
of what they had done.
Come" said one: "let us now sup with
good humor and without quarreling."
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 Il corner,
Lixed her dark eyes on the authors Of
the mischief
why do you look at us in that man.
1er" demanded the first Henry.
II see your destinies written in your
answered the injured wo-
man.
The second Henry harshly command
ID her to reveal them The two 9th.
'rs laughed outright
With OutStretched arms the old wo
nan replied: LAS yon all four have
been united in this cabin You will all
:iny. AS you have trodden underfoot
md soiled with blood the bread of hos
,itality. you will trample underfoot and
,oil with blood the power of which you
will partake As you have impover-
shed and devastated this dwelling. you |
will deyastate and impoyerish France.
As yOn have all four been wounded In |
he dark. you will all perish by treason
md violent DEATH
These four Henrys were the four he
.oes of 34e league-two as its chiefs
md two rs it's enemies-Henry OF
Conde. poisoned at St Jean d'Angely |
Dy his wife: Henry Of Guise. assassi- |
rated al Rlois by the Forty five: Henry
II valois Henry IlI.,. assassinated by
Jacques Clement at st. Cloud: Henry
II Bourbon (Henry W., assassinated
IT Paris by Ravaillac. New York
I'ress.
Nothing Ia politically right which i
wrong. !