Norfolk High School - Milestone Yearbook (Norfolk, NE)

Page 22 text:

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

Page 21 text:

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

Page 23 text:

tup: milestone. 19 and darkness of the night, ferried the American Army across to New York. But perhaps there is no more striking illus- tration of lost opportunity than that of Hull at Detroit. He held a strong fort filled with men confident of victory. The enemy were approaching, his cannon were charged and his soldiers eager to fight. To the amazement of all a white flag was displayed, and men, arms and the whole territory of Michigan was surrendered to the British. At the time Hull was bitterly denounced as a coward and traitor, but it is now believed that he was only weak and lacked the decision to seize his opportunity. The event comes down to us as a surrender, the mo'st shameful in the history of the United States. Not only great military men, but also those occupying high position in civil life have been unable to retain the place they have been called to fill through the neglect of some duty. It is customary on great ocean steamers to take observations to see in what direction the ship is sailing. One slight turn of the pilot wheel might put the ship many miles out of its course. So one error, one neglected opportunity in our life may change the whole plan of our existence. We must then take most careful observations, that we may early discover our faults and neglect of opportunities for improvement. Every failure should strengthen us to greater effort, and with high ideals there is no such word as fail. Then we shall have few remembrances to blight our future happiness. How many of us. some with splendid natural abilities, make no effort toward improvement? We spend our precious time in idly dreaming of honor, fame and wealth. Then when it is too late we awaken from our slumbers only to discover that our talents have been buried in the wreck and ruin of an aimless life. “Oh, the wasted hours of life That have drifted by! Oh, the good we might have done. Lost without a sigh.