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

Page 19 text:

she kneels for a time weeping. All is quiet. The very world stands still to see that wh'te form of purity and valor and faith,—the maid,—not triumphant on the height of victory, but kneeling, weeping, on the verge of torture. She is ascending the steps, the fagots are lighted, the wild flames rise and fall, the smoke, blown upward, envelops that white maid— s anding alone against the blue sky. The good friar holds the sacred cross before her eyes so long that Joan bids him withdraw lest the-fire shall catch his robe. Thus dies the Maid of Orleans,—her last thought for others, her eyes upon the cross, the name of Jesus upon her lips. O! the pity of it! The pathos of a death like hers! No Frenchman—no Englishman— should read poor Joan’s story without tears of grief and shame, for I repeat it, never was there enacted on this earth a greater injustice. Call her King of France but she will not hear thee. When the thunders of universal France, as even yet may happen, shall proclaim the grandeur of the poor shepherd girl, who gave up all for her country, thy ear, young shepherd girl will have been deaf for five centuries. To suffer and to do, that was thy portion in this life; that was thy destiny and not for a moment was it hidden from thyself. Great was the throne of France even in tjiose days, and great was he that sat upon it; but well Joan knew that not the throne, nor he that sat upon it, was for her, but, on the contrary that she was for them; not she by them, out they by her, should rise from the dust. Georgeous were the lilies of France, and for centuries had the privilege to spread their beauty over land and sea. but well Joan knew, early at Domremy she had read that bitter truth, that the likes of France would decorate no garland for her. Flower nor bud, bell nor blossom, would ever bloom for her, but the injustice and meanness with which she was treated have created a lasting sympathy for her in the hearts of her nation. This remembrance and respect will form a monument more enduring than that erected to her on the spot where she died. “IONE AGNES WORTHING.” I bought a corn-bindei ' bundle carrier for ten cents. Inquire of A. J. Zielke.