Shields High School - Patriot Yearbook (Seymour, IN)

Page 21 text:

iDOJlheleqendODaneTrae nspirdBorL ixroBd bJAiry Prophecies of cDor TheReowrd The ouqHbrof TheVoleriinfisr ToCDonalisa TheCatevifle Page Fifteen]

Page 20 text:

[Page Fourteen

Page 22 text:

boLU the Legend Came True; AGNES ANDREWS NE WINTER day in the year of 1812, four people sat in a little liut, by which Napoleon, his star sunken beyond the horizon, was soon to pass on his ill-fated journey to Moscow. Tliese four people were Ivan Ivanovitch, Marinka, his wife, their son, Boris, and Marinka ' s old mother, who, was reputed to be a witch. Ivan, gnarled and old-looking, though in the prime of life, stood warming his hands at the flicker- ing, smoking fire. His wife was working at her spin- ning wheel, while Boris sat cross-legged at the feet of his grandmother. Finally the father broke the long silence by saying, The Little Father (meaning the Czar) will use his last moujik for Russia ; but, as the Corsican is able to call his dead soldiers to aid him, there is no use killing them. Yes, gently answered Marinka, Yes, the Czar will have to say fare- well to Moscow and the Kremlin, though ten thousand troops were there to aid him. True, said Ivan, soon we shall all be French. Until tomorrow, then farewell. ' ' So saying, he lay down upon the dirty, musty straw in the corner of the room which served as a common bed. Marinka soon followed the ex- ample of her literal lord and master. Boris had not spoken, but as soon as he heard the groans from his father, and the loud indrawn breath of his mother, he turned to the silent old woman. ' ' They snore, ' ' said he scornfully. It is well. Tell me now, grandmother, about the wonderful Napoleon who is coming across the country. Boris, replied the grandmother, when this Corsican leads his troops to battle, mayhap, he returns victorious, but many men have been left upon the field, dead or dying. The next battle, he does not have as many soldiers. He wants them all, so he gives a quick call, and back come the soldiers, who have perished in previous battles. They fight for him, and after the battle is over, they are seen no more. ' ' And can he do this forever? [Page Sixteen