Norfolk High School - Milestone Yearbook (Norfolk, NE)

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IVjill Will N|eVer ©rind Witl] ’Tl'je W ter’Tl]at Clara A. McHride. In the history of all nations there has been much of latent power that might have been made useful, much of hidden talent that might have been brought out, and much of undeveloped character that might have placed its country in the foremost ranks of the world. Shakespeare says, ‘‘There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bounded in shallows and misery.’ And so we find, throughout history, monuments of warning with lessons of sadness written for others to avoid, examples of lost opportunities or forfeited privileges, chances forever thrown away. At the court of the proud king of Portugal an unknown Italian navigator applied for aid to fit out an expedition of discovery. Three times did the haughty sovereign refuse the humble petitioner. Finally disappointed though not despairing he turned to Spain. Through the generous Isabella Spain gained what Portugal forever lost, a claim to the broad valleys, mighty rivers and towering mountains of America with its rich soil, vast forests, and exhaustless mines. To-day Portugal is of less account than a single state of this mighty nation. Fewr years pass without recording some neglected opportunity of advancement carelessly thrown away. We find Fulton seeking that “Man of Destiny,” Napole on. Greenough, the sculptor, said of this visit: “Fulton knocked at the door of Napoleon with steam and was rejected, and

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THE MILESTONE. Hi great. We ask that in the future it may be as great and even greater. The people have much more to do with the success of the school than they may think, for although the teachers and pupils may do their best, unless public appreciation is shown the work falls short. Although the class started with fifteen members it has dwindled to two, thus necessitating the addition of the Juniors to the evening’s program. Hoping you will find much to praise and little to criticize, I again welcome you.

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18 THE MILESTONE. Napoleon lived long enough to know that he had excluded a greater power than his own.” Again we see Napoleon, this time on a mighty battle field, it is late in the afternoon, the sun slowly sinking in the west gilds the wheat fields in the broad valley and glimmers through the trees on the water. As motionless as a statue, Napoleon, mounted on a magnificent white charger, was viewing the battle field. Flashing in the sunlight was the cross of the Legion of Honor upon his green uniform. He saw the English lines waver, and said to Marshal Ney: “We have ninety-nine chances out of a hundred for victory.” Then the imperial guard made their splendid charge. Troopers on great gray horses with steel shod hoofs thundered down the valley with colors flying, trumpets sounding and ranks closed. They are lost in the smoke and are next seen on the opposite hill. Before them yawns a hollow road, but they cannot check their headlong gallop. The foremost ranks plunge in and the road is filled up, the rest never faltering dash over their dead bodies on to the awful charge. The English cannot withstand such a tempest, their lines waver and break before the gallant guards. The eagle-eye of Wellington sees this and orders up his cavalry. Had Napoleon at the same time thought of his infantry the result might have been changed, and Bluchercoming an hour later would have met a victorious French army. Waterloo would have been won. We know the sad story that ended at lonely St. Helena. In the history of our own nation many men have lost their one chance for success and renown. At the Battle of Long Island Lord Howe had a splendid army of nineteen thousand well equipped men. During the forenoon he compelled the little band of Americans to retreat with heavy losses. He would have taken all the American forces on the island, had he attacked the entrenchments at once, but he allowed his troops to rest and so lost his golden opportunity. The Marblehead fishermen, through the fog