Vermont High School - Comet Yearbook (Vermont, IL)

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THE COMET 1910 GILBERT RAKESTRAW Honors. Athletic: Foot Ball Team, CM. Base Ball Team, KSU, CH. Dramatic 1 Rival Barbers. Organization I lllini Literary Society. How the Battle Was Won Wlhtn the strong monarchs of Europe formed the Grand Alliance against Frederic the Great, lingland became his ally so that she might humble her old enemy, Tiranee. After the war had been carried on for some time in Europe, France determined to eiipple lingland by seizing her Colonial possessions i11 the New NVorld. Lines of forts were built along the Ohio, St. Lawrence and Mississippi rivers. Detroit, Quebec and Montreal xx ere already strongly fortified places. The linglish were not going to give up their possessions so easily and when the Col- onies asked for aid, an army was sent over under General Braddock. This army, strength- ened by the Americans was defeated by a party of French and lndians. Victories in suc- cession followed for the lfrench, and it seemed that her plans for colonizing the New VVorld were soon to be carried out. V The next year, however, was destined to be far different from the preceding. The English l'arliament had been slow to act. and the losses of the lirst year can partly be at- tributed to this cause. In a short time NVilliam Pitt became Prime Minister and other Par- liamentary changes were made. Pitt was one of the greatest men lingland ever produced,- able, energetic, and the man to do things. Perhaps no other man could have lifted England from that gloom and depression and guided her through those trying times. The English Parliament then appropriated large sume of money to carry on the war. New generals and more men were sent over and the incompetent commanders removed. The entire army seemed to gain new spirit and after several brilliant victories, the French were driven into Canada. Nova Scotia soon surrendered to the English, and the only remaining French stronghold was Quebec. Quebec, strongly fortified and situated upon the high plains of Abraham, seemed able to defy Zlll hurope, lllontealm. the greatest of French generals, was in command and upon tne doings of this one m an France based all hope of establishing a colony in America. General XVolfe had been given command of the English force and at once he hastened toward Quebec. After trying nearly all of the summer to engage the French in battle and being unsuccessful. he determined to find some path up which he could lead his army. ln this he was successful, believing that under cover of darkness it would be possible to land a -force sufficient to assault the city. The plan was put before the lower officers and all were willing to give their assistance, although they realized the danger of being discovered and thrown directly in front of the enemies, guns. TWENTY-TWO

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THE COMET 1910 what they have been' caused to think by their former experience. They would not oppose a project which was for their own advancement, but such a thing as a public park being for their good, they cannot unlerstand. They merely oppose the project because they do not understand, and perhaps they are doing more good by opposing it, than by taking up with it, fo,r their opposition will serve to raise arguments, and an argument over a thing is sure to bring it before the public. However the next question is of real importance. flow shall the money be raised to start the enterprise in the right direction? By reason of their wider experience it would probably be best to leave the managing in the hands of- the business men, but they cannot be expected to raise all the money, although they had best have a controlling share of the stock. The money must be raised by the people's co-operation in buying the shares which would be put on sale at a small price. By making the price of each share small more people may be interested, and may share in the profits. Of course during the first few years, it will seem as if all the rnonev is going out and nothing coming in: but this impression will be minimized by the speedy construction of a ball-diamond, which ought to be a paying proposition. By co-operation the park can be obtained for Vermont. For co-operation between many people is a power impossible to down, For instance, the mighty Elevator Combine was downed by the farmer's Co-operative Elevator Companyf' the high prices have been controlled to a great extent by the co-operation of people who never saw each other: the trusts are all controlled and will be put away, by the co-operation of the people in their protests against them. l say the trusts will be put away by eo-operation among the people. l mean bv this statement that it is only by a joining together of forces at the polls, that they can be done away with. But it the people elect the right kind of officers to coeoperate with them. the trusts are doomed. just as the North prevented the separation of the states and abolished slavery by co-operation, after years of struggling and quarreling, will the trusts be abolished. I have earnestly endeavored to show how Vermont might be made more beautiful, and attractive and more lucrative. lt is now up to the people of the said town. VVill they let the enterprise. which would make this town the equal of anv in the county, die out for want of a little exertion. l do not believe thcv will, since this plan can be carried out with so little expense and so much possible profit. Oh what a tangled web we weave When first we practice to deceivel' CR1BBERs. How poor are they that have not patience. BIADELENE CRAFT. Good Gods! how he would talk. jAMEs VAN ZXNTWERP. Of study took she most care, and most heed, And would gladly learn, and also gladly teachf' lX'IILDRED RALsToN. Most People are like an egg, too phull of themselves to hold ennything else. JESSE lllERCER. Prove we what I would not do. l'lELEN GARDNER. Fire in each eye, and papers in each hand, They rave, recite, and madden round the land. L1T. S0c1E'rx'. TYVENTY-ONE

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TH E COM ET 1910 In the meantime another person had not been idle. Henry Hope, an English spy, sent out during the previous summer, had been captured by the French and taken to Quebec. thinking that it would be impossible for him to escape, he was given entire freedom of thc city. While he was walking along the clitts one day, he was greatly surprised to see one of Wolfe's men, who was out on a scouting expedition. Wolfe's plans were made known to Hope and a message was sent to the General informing him of his captured scout's position, and assuring his aid in the attack. During this time the French, fearing an attack by the English, placed guards at all the paths through which a man could possibly make his way. Hope's heart sank, when he saw that the French had blocked the plan. which if accomplished, would give him a chance to gain his freedom. He saw another year of imprisonment, more bloody battles, and rein- forcements coming from France. But like the true Englishman that he was, he did not give up tolfdespair. He learned that the guard was composed of three men, who went on duty at eight o'clock at night and were relieved at tive in the morning. A plan at once presented itself for getting the guards out of the way. When the appointed night came, Hope strolled down to the pass. Here he was kindlv received by the jovial Frenehmen. In a short time a little game of cards was proposed Hope then gave them a drink of strongly drugged wine from a tlask and soon the guards were in a heavy slmnber. He then exchanged clothing with one of them, thinking that, aided by the darkness, he could deceive the patrol. The guards were next securely bound and gagged. One of them was removed to a secluded spot. and the others placed near as if asleep. When ten o'cloek came the patrol made his rounds and stopped to chat with Hope. This was the most trying time of Hope's life. Could he imitate the hated French tongue so as not to arouse the suspicion of the patrol? Realizing that a single slip meant not only his own death but the history of a nation. he carefully selected his words in answering the othcer, Below could be heard the English impatiently awaiting the signal to ascend. VVould the patrol never leave? Just then he asked Hope concerning the other guards, On being fold that they were asleep he said he guessed he would arouse them. and turned toward the place where they were lying. Hope felt the cold perspiration standing on his forehead like beads when, he saw the outcome of his little plan, if the patrol attempted to awake the g:'u'irds. But at this moment some one farther down the cliff shouted Patrol, post number three, and the patrol. after he had told Hope to awaken the guards, passed into thc darkness to answer the call of the next guard. I Soon the English began climbing the pass. So quiet was the ascent thatnot a French- man in the citv was aware of their presence. General VVolfe was greatly pleased upon meeting his old scout. Hope was highlv complimented by the General and assured of :1 higher office awaiting him in the army, should thev be spared in battle. The next morning Montcahn supposed that the days of miracles had surely returned, when he saw the English drawn up in battle line. Hope entered the battle as one of VVolfc's staff. More than once he distinguished himself and was always in 1 ': thickest of the light On the last gallant charge he fell by his commander. The battle was won, and throughout England there was great joy. for the seven long years of fighting were over. Wolfe had saerihced his life for his country and was given the entire glory. His name is pronounced with pride bv the English, his name adorns the pages of history, statues in his honor pierce the skv, and each vear celebrations are held in his memory. But the real hero, who made WVolfe's plan possible. lies in a low-lv grave in the Old Chllffh-yarrl of Quebec. among his comrades, with the simple inscription on his tombstone-- Fought at Quebec. The course of true love never did run smooth. HARRY Cmcii. Plague! ef they ain't sompin' in VVork 'at kindo' goes again' My convictions! R.'XI.l'H IXlERc'ER. Dire was the noise of conflict. JUNIOR SCRAP, 1909. TWENTY-TH REE