Vermont High School - Comet Yearbook (Vermont, IL)

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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

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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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't 1 ui comer 1910 W. CLARE FOSTER Honors. Athletic: . Foot Hall Team. till. 4323. Captain 645. Uase llall Team, tfil, Captain tiij, tty, Dramatic 2 Great lfastern Band. 'ARegular Fix. Midnight lntruderf' Rival Barbers. A Little Savage' Organization I lillini Literary Society. Class Treasurer. HJ Water System for Vermont The little city of Vermont is situated in Central lllinois, South Fulton County. The country surrounding Vermont is of the best in the state and as a farming section is unsure passed. For many years Vermont has been known as a grain and farm product centre. Prices here are nearly always the best. This is caused by the nmnbcr of farm product dealers in the town, Also veins of coal of good quality underlie a portion of the land and mining is carried on to some extent. .Xnother advantage is that Vermont lies at the junction of the niain line and a branch of the C., ll. Xt Q. Railroad. This makes railroad connections in Your directions, the principal cities being Bushnell, Canton, lleardstown and Rushville, This. of course. makes our city a good location for a commercial centre. ln the last few years many dwelling houses have been erected, showing Vermont to be a good residence community. It is well shaded, has elegant lawns, and good streets. Th., electric lighting system is the property of the town and the lighting service is given to patrons as low, or lower, in rate of cost as any neighboring towns. lint above all these advantages and beauties stands one great difficulty which cone stantly confronts the citizens. Vermont has no water system! In times past this has been the cause of much inconvenience, difticulty, and loss of property. Many times has this been the cause of anxiety regarding tire, lt is one feature in which Vermont is inferior to many other cities of tl1e same size. llow much would the risk of loss by tire be lessened if Vermont had a water system? Compare the extinguishing or prevention of tire by throwing on water from buckets and by throwing on water through hose lines and with great force. There is no comparison. ln order to throw water in the middle of a burning building with buckets one must be higher than the building and this is done only by getting on a building near the one burning. This method is dangerous, deticient, and extremely slow. But with hose, through which water is sent with great force, one may stand on the ground in the majority of cases and shoot the water over all parts of the burning building. ls this any advantage? lt is self-evident A few years ago the store buildings belonging to Leighty on N. Main Street were burned l0 HTC ground, They were well made brick structures and added considerably to the ap- pearance of our city. The men worked hard to stop the destruction, but in vain. lt was only with hard and unceasing labor that the adjoining buildings, including a four story hotel were saved. ln the spring of the year 1908 the store buildings belonging to Mrs. ll. ll. Hamer on- N. Main street were completely destroyed. For a while it was thought that the entire business section and possibly the whole town would be wiped out. Hy emptying all TWENTY-FOU R