Year: 1866

The following strange tale, translated
from the French, contains the account Of
rather singular recontre of four indiyidu-
ais, who made themselves prominent in
France during the middle and end of the
century, and is as follows:


One stormy evening, as the rain fell in
torrents, an old woman, who lived in a
miserable hut in the forest of st. German,
and who passed in the surrounding couu.
try for kind of witch, heard loud knock.
ing at the door. She opened it, and a
young man on horseback presented him
self and craved hospitality


By the dull light of lamp which she
held in her hand, she perceived him to be
a young nobleman. He appeared to be
quite young, and his dress denoted rank
The old woman lighted fire, and in
quired of the stranger whether he was hun
CRY and desired food. The appetite of ;
youth of sixteen is like his heart at thC
same age, craving and not difficult t.
please, and he Immediately accepted The
offer. A morsel of cheese and loaf o
black bread from the cupboard WIS all tina
the old dame could produce.


4 have nothing more she said to tht
young nobleman; this is all that YOU
grinding tithes and taxes leave poor crea
ture to offer a traveller; the peasants, too
in this country, call me witch and sorcer
ess, and make that excuse to their con.
science for stealing from me the little tha
my poor old field produces.


Ma fol- said the young man; if ever
become King of France, l will suppre'
the taxes and teach people better


God grant itp replied the old woman


At these words the gentleman drew tc
the table to commence his repast; but Al
the same moment a fresh knock at the
boor arrested him.


The old woman opened it and preceived
another horseman drenched with rain
who also begged for shelter. The same
hospitality was instantly granted him, and
on the strangers enterance, she perceived
that the man was young, and, Judging
from his appearance, of noble decent.


What! is it you, HenryP cried one.


yes, Henry replied the other. Boil
were named Henry.


The old-woman discovered from theil
conversation that they were of a number
of large hunting party, conducted by
the King, Charles II, which had beer
dispersed by the storm.


Mother said the second conner, 'have
you nothing better to offer usP


Nothing replied She


Then said he, I'VE will go shares"


The first Henry demurred, but glancing
at the resolute eve and strong frame of the
second Henry, said in somewhat chargined
tone


agreed; we shall share equally


He dared not express his secret motive
but he feared, if not sharing equally, his
companion would appropriate the whole.
They accordingly sat down on either side
of the table, and one had already begun to
eat the bread with his dagger, when a
third knock was heard at the door. The
meeting was indeed singular. 1t was again
a youth, nobleman and a Henry. The
old woman looked at them with astonish-
ment.


The first conner wished to hide the
bread and cheese. The second replaced
them on the table and laid his sword by
their side. The third Henry smiled.


You do not wish, then, that l should
share your supper said he. "Well, lean
wait; / have strong stomach


The SUPPER, said the first Henry, be-
longs by right, to the first conner"