Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-14
The four RENRYS
One Of the Most Dramatic of the
Legends of France.

OF all the French historical legends
there is none more dramatic than that
pertaining to the four Heurys." The
tradition is that on 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 10y a loud knocking ut her
door. She opened It and saw Cava-
lier who requested hospitality. \
scrap OF cheese and a morsel of black
bread were all she set besore him.
Il have nothing more" said she.
See, here is all that tithes. taxes. sub.
sides and other eXtortiouS have left
me to offer distressed travellers. be-
sides which my neiChUors 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 king Of
France / would suppress the taxes"
God hears you answered the old
woman
The cavalier was about to commence
his rc0lst when fresh knock at the
door restrained him. Again a gentle.
man. drcnchpd with rain. demanded
shelter.
lis that you. Henry" said the one.
lit is. Henry" replied the other.
The old woman discovered from
their conversation that they belonged
90 a numerous hunting party led by
King Charles IN. and that they had
been dispersed 10y q storm.
My good woman" said the second
conner. have you nauEht else 10 offer
US"
Nothing" was the reply.
We'll. then. said the other. I'VE
mus, divide &c."
The first Henry gave signs OF re-
fuSa.: but. observing the reSolute eye
and naughty bearing Of the second. he
replied in tone Of chaGriu:
Let us divide it. then
They sat down opposite each other.
and one had already commenced cut
ting the bread with his dagger when
third blow was struck at the door.
Again a young nob'eman entered
again q Henry. The meeting was
most singular.
The first Henry e1deJvored TO hide
the bread and cheese. The second re-
placed IL on the table and set his
sword by his side The third Henry
smiled
What. VIII you spare me none OF
your supper. them said he.
The supper" said the first Henry.
rightly belongs 10 the FIRST conner
The supper" said the second Henry,
belongs Of right 10 him who knows
best how to defend it."
The third Henry colored and said
. haUEhtiiy, Perhaps it rather belongs
to him who knows best how 10 win 1t. -
Al these words the FIRST Henry drew
his dagger. the two others their
swords They had scarce made & few
passes when a fourth blow was heard
NJ the door. The portal opened. A
fourth Henry appeared.
A. the sight OF the naked sword
the last conner drew his own and. tax.
ing the weakest side. fought vigorous
ly.
The old woman, frightened. hid her
self. and II was well that she did. for
the swords dashed TO pieces every
thing that came IN their way. The
lamp fell. was eNtinEulshed. and al
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. rclit 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 qusrreling"
But Oh loO4ing for the supper theJ