Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1912-01-19
THE four HENRYS
One Of the Most Dramatic Of the
Legends Of France.
A MEETING AND A WARNING.

The Dire Prediction That Wa Hurled
ct Them After a Duel IN the Dark
and tho Way the Hateful Prophecy
Became a 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 a wintry night as
the rain fell in torrents an old woman
who passed In the country for a witch
and who inhabited a miserable cabin
in the forest Of st. German was
aroused by a loud knocking at her
door. She opened Il and saw a caya.
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.
"See. here is all that tlthes, taxes, sub
sides and other extortions have left
me to oder distressed travellers. be-
sides which my n~elghbors call me a
witch and rob me Of the produce of
my little farm"
IT'S a cruel situation" said the
young man. and were l king Of
France | would suppress the taxes"
= God hears you" answered the old
woma
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.
us that you, Henry7" said the one
ut 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
usT'
Nothing" was the reply.
"Well them" 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 m Of chagrin:
LET us divide 1t, then"
They sat down opposite each other,
and one had already commenced cut
ting the bread with his dagger when
q third blow was struck at the door.
Again a 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 it on the table and set his
sword by his side. The third Henry
smiled.
"WhatI WIN you spare me none OF
your supper. thenT' said he.
'The supper" said the first Henry,
rightly belongs to the first omer."
'The 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 4"
At these words the first Henry drew
his dagger. the two others their
swords. They had scarce made a few
passes when a fourth blow was heard
at 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 ex%tinguished. 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 quarreling.'
But on looking for the supper they
perceived II lying on the floor, soiled
with their feet and stained with blood.
The old woman sitting in a corner,
hxed her dark eyes on the authors Of
the mischief.
why do you look at US In that man
ner" demanded the first Henry.
II 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. you
viii devastate and impOverish France.
As you have all four been wounded In
the dark. you viii all perish by treason
and a violent death"
These four Henrys were the four he
rOes OF the league-twO as its chiefs
H. ---N.a H.. -