Hobart Senior High School - Memories Yearbook (Hobart, IN)

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30 HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL. FRED W. FRANK. WE began our High School career, we looked forward with various emotions to the lessons and studies with which we were to labor and worry during the year and indeed during all the four years in which we were to attend High School. In much the same manner we now view future labors since another epoch in our Jives appears. Some of us looked with awe upon the subjects we were starting and handled our books as though they were hallowed objects; some of us tried to have a good time and put on airs, because we were High School students, but the most of us took things in a matter-of-fact way and settled down to hard work that brought us the best of grades. So when we took up Botany it was with different feelings that each of us did our duty. We were worried at first by the alarming tales of mighty ones who had already passed through the mill of science which has turned them into Edisons, Marconis, Galileos or Burroughses. But as we progressed, these tales lost their proportions and gave place to stories of our own struggles which we have treasured up for those who are to follow in our footsteps. So our first year of science passed on without events other than the receiving of grades and writing articles for the school notes. Now the only reminder of our year’s toil are a few note books and mounted specimens which

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HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL. 29 Ah, the world can not explain the mysterious resource that marked the checkered career of this strange product of the forest! The secret is still hidden. Reared among the most primitive influences, struggling from infancy in obscurity and poverty, yet compelling the wondering admiration of the great English generals; untrained in diplomacy, yet the savior of one of the world’s greatest nations. Prom such depths derived, to such heights ascended, her flight mocks the eye of reason. A peasant girl of eighteen thrust to the nation’s helm amid such a conflict as seldom ever smote a people. The simple girl of the country was called, as in a single night, to responsibility as great as was ever laid on human shoulders. Ah, faithful Joan ! Little did she know what sacrifice, greater by far than any she had yet made, was to follow. Though she gained many friends, the number of her enemies was even greater. Her life was ever in peril. The king forced her to stay in his court, but the nobles, mad with jealousy, could not stand this. A peasant maid to associate with them, the proud aristocrats, was too much ! One day a brave nobleman betrayed her to the English ! She was accused of witchcraft, of being a heretic. She was caged like a bird. She was chained like some ferocious monster. But where was the king now, and all those for whom she had done so much? From the moment of her capture neither the king nor any man in all his court raised a finger to save her. All alone she was, without a friend to defend her. Thus the world rewards those who serve it. After many trials she was pronounced guilty and sentenced to death. And there in the shadow of the old cathedral she was bound to the stake and burned. It seems like a hideous dream more than a reality. She had given up her youth, home, and freedom to save her country. Now she gave her life. Greater love than this hath no man shown. This for her country! And for herself? For herself a name honored on every shore, a memory forever cher- ished by her countrymen; and, among the children of God, a martyr’s crown. It is many years since death came to Joan of Arc, stilling that beautiful human heart that beat so loyally for the cause of her country. In the place where she burned a large stone cross has been raised, but no monument nor page of history can add to her fame and glory. The French nation has given her immortality. “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” What approaches nearest to the explanation of it all is, when stated, “It is but a mystery.” Joan of Arc was a separate gift from the Hand of Him who maketh one star differ from another in glory. Raised up as surely as ever was Moses of old for the performance of a stupendous task, called from the obscurity of her simple home to the great theatre that awaited her, she was equipped by that Almighty Hand according to her need, endowed by her infinite Love and Wisdom for her mighty mission.

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HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL. 31 persist in showing themselves, and occasional memories, of hunting for speci- mens and eating all edible ones and some not quite edible, after they had done their duty as specimens. Then two years followed in which other things claimed our attention and science was laid aside. But they were fruitful years, for besides learning the lessons we applied ourselves to, we were strengthening our minds for something more serious and building a firm foundation for another year of science. During these two years we no longer listened with awe to the reports of Chemistry and Physics, for we had learned through experience that we were just as good in other things as they were themselves and so we knew that we coidd hold our own in anything new we attempted. But we did not set our hopes too high nor did we expect Chemistry and Physics to be easy. We began them anticipating a year of delightful and helpful study of the laws of nature and the works of God and our hopes were not disappointed for our work has prove d to be all we expected. We began Chemistry in high hopes, but the wind soon blew our ship aground on the shoal of molecular theories, but we were able to right our- selves and the pleasant experiments, with separate elements which followed, more than made up for all former disappointments. We began with oxygen and passed through the hydrogen stage without any explosions or serious mishaps. But our pleasure was soon to be marred again and we were nearly keeled over when we struck the atomic theories with their companion equa- tions. Again we were equal to the occasion and with gigantic efforts we over- came this obstacle and all succeeding ones and the trials have developed several chemists who bid fair to become famous. Our Physics class has passed through similar experiences. We did not strike hard ground until we became acquainted with Galileo and Newton, before we were through with their laws and theories and the laws of machines, we were ready to wish they had never lived although now as we look back at those days we can see how much they really helped us. Sound, light and heat proved to be interesting and helpful subjects and then the class became deeply interested in electricity and among us are several who promise to rank with Edison. As the year drew to an end, we felt that we could have been more success- ful, for there is always room for improvement; that we could have been more patient in preparing trying lessons yet we have a consciousness of duty well performed. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our kind and sympathetic professor, who has always helped and guided us, who has answered our numer- ous questions and patiently directed our blundering efforts. To those who expect to study science, we offer words of encouragement and advise you to do your part in everything you attempt.