Oakfield High School - Oak Leaves Yearbook (Oakfield, WI)

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JOAN OF ARC. In one of the public squares of Paris today stands a beautiful monument. As it towers above the moving throng its silent characters tell no tale, but many a Frenchman knows that it is there to help blot out the memory of an awful crime. This monument pays tribute to a name known only in history, but in art and literature—the name of Joan of Arc. Because of the courage which prompted a single country girl to offer her services in a nation’s great need; because of the spirit which inspired all within her influence, to carry on her high purpose for the sake of France; because of her loyalty to her country and her king; the world holds her name in memory. That which prompted the greatness of her career did not consist of state or military abilities but of pure and noble character. The hundred years of bitter struggle in which England sought to make France a part of the English realm was drawing to a close. King Edward by his vigorous campaigns had made all France forlorn, miserable and well nigh distracted, it was impoverished, overrun, and drained of fighting men. The war had not only exhausted the resources of France, but those of England as well. The victories of Grecy, Poictiers and Agincourt—which shed such lustre on the English nation had brought nearly all of northern France under English subjection. At last the Duke of Bedford resolved to take Orleans, which was the key to the south,—a city strongly fortified and well provisioned. If Orleans surrendered France would be at the mercy of England. But go back with me if you will from the scene of war to Joanne’s childhood. She was born at Dom-remy, that little village on the frontiers of Champagne and Lorraine. Nurtured within the historic forests and mountains of eastern France, and educated in the doctrines and r'tes of the Romish church, and by that superior teacher—Nature. She was employed by her mother in spinning and sewing. Joan was naturally devout and faithful for after her days work was over she would spend hours in quiet contemplation before the altar in the little village church and would often slip away from her companions to muse in silence or to pray. This quiet life was broken by the storm of war as it last came home to Domremy. As the outcasts and wounded passed by the little village the young girl gave them her bed and nursed them in their sickness. Her whole nature summed itse'f up in one absorbing passion, “pity for the fair realm of France.” As her passion grew she recalled old prophecies that a maid from the Lorraine border should save the land. The most remarkable thing about, this young girl is that she claimed to have seen visions, which there is l?ttle difficulty in understanding for she possessed a nature strongly sympathetic, and it was kindled to ardent patriotism by the sad condition of her country. Gradually her whole attention became so engrossed with her country’s wrong that all her working hours were one continued and prolonged prayer for it« deliverance. At the same time she kept long fasts until her body was worn out and she became a little light headed from

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17tli. To Ethel McKnight and Elsie Phelps we do give jointly and severally just one naif of our worthy president’s lung power to be used by them in recitation. 18th. We do bequeath to James I'ay the rgh‘ to reta n all the pulverized complexion beautifier which he brings home on his coat from Hamilton. 19th. To Alvin Ehrhardt we do device a motor cycle which will not dump him, and better still wi i need no tinkering. 20th. To Grant Wells we give a part in the play next year wfith the privilege of backing cut if he so desires. 21st. We do bequeath to Mr. Hansen the secret of who threw the shot. 22nd. Unto the girls in the Freshman class wre do give, devise and bequeath our vast knowledge of geometry, our love for polygons and our admiration for parallelop’peds 23rd. To the h:gh school students 1ft behind we give our interest in the basket ball and a chance from now on to win something in oratoricals. 24th We do give to Olive Roy an excursion tcket to X. D, which will carry two from there to Lusk. 25th. To Lucile Edwards we do bequeath our cribs in physics, which will pass her thru an examination with a resistance of 1000 ohms, an amperage of 30C0 and a voltage of 2000. 2Cth. We do give, devise and be- queath to Flora Morgan, Eva Paynter and Guli Orvis leather medals as rewards for being the victors of the whispering matches which we have had at. school. 27th. To Jce Geelan we do bequeath a bronco and a cow boy’s hat to be given to her upon her departure for Enderlin. 28th. We do give to Lula Ripley, Ethel Bristol and Eessie Burns the privilege of meeting their friends when they call for them at the Grammar room door. 29:h. To those who were once with us in this class we give our best wishes for their success and our sincere regret that they are not with us now. We hereby nominate and appoint Everett Tulledge executor of this our last will and testament and it is our desire that he be required to give bond for the faithful performance of his duty. The residue and remainder both real and personal we do give, devise and bequeath unto the School Board, to them and their successors forever, to be held by them in trust for the future generation of Seniors. In witness whereof we have hereunto set cur hands and seals this 31st day of May, 19GG. In the presence of RYLE WORTHING, RUSH COLE, RALPH WARNER. D. E. W.

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weakness. The result was that owing to a peculiarity in her nervous constitution, her ow.i tnoughts and hones seemed to take audible voices, and returned to her as assurances and commands spoken to her by the saints. Saint Michael appeared to her in a flood of blinding light and told her to go to the help of the lrng and restore to him his realm. She went and longed that the angels who had appeared to her would carry her away, but her mission was clear. Fate had placed Joau of Arc in an unusual position. She must do her utmost to break the fearful strength of England; France must be saved; her people must he freed; liberty must be had at any cost. To accomplish this she at last set out for Orleans, where she told the captain that she was inspired by God to save her country from the Eng-l'sh. After pleading some time with this rough man he took her by the hand and swore to lead her to the king. At the court itself she found hes!tation and doubt, but there was something so strange, so persistent, so honest about her that they decided that it was quite safe to let her go on and do what she could. And now we have her just as she had been longing to be. Mounted on a magnificent white horse, dressed n a slrn'ng suit of armor, a white banner embroidered with golden Flies, carried before her, and a large body of men at arms following her, she set boldly forward to fulfill her mission; to save France and crown its lawful king. Imagine this girl of only seventeen summers who knew notlrng of war, who had never been accustomed to equestrian exercises l ke a maid of chivalry; who had no friends; who had never seen great people; who was poor and unimportant, leading the great army of France onto the battle field. Her enthusiasm won the hearts of the soldiers. Her simplicity and straightforwardness swept away all prejudice. Rude warriors were softened by her gentle p'ety, and in her presence checked the cath that trembled on their lips. In less than two weeks the brief period of triumph came. To Joan alone belongs the credit of what she accomplished for France,—her enemies, who were jeaious of her leadership, thwarthed her plans and plotted her life. She beat them at every turn; she triumphed again and again. Had hers been a mean nature she could not but glory in her wonderful rescue of Orleans, the defeat of the invincible English, and the success which followed success in the campaign of the Loire. Now in the lead of battle, fearing no danger, bravely calling her men on to the attack, now stopping to ease the pain of a dying soldier, and help'ng him to make peace with God,—now hold'ng the entire army back to ask for divine aid and guidance. When that last great triumph came for which she had labored and struggled and overthrown opponents, —the coronation of Charles VII at Rhe'ms,—her joy knew no bounds. She fell down and embraced the feet of her monarch and burst into uncontrollable weeping. It was no doubt the irresistible outburst of a heart too full, and in that fullness of joy and triumph was also a feeling of completed work, for she knew that her mission was fulfilled. She had