The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-03-07
A Journey.

To-day, as / sit in the narrow space al
lotted to me, am thinking of journey
started upon long ago. This journey led
me over very many kinds of roads and by
paths. The start was made and continued
for a considerable distance through pleas
ant fields and shady groves, and flowing
streams that were fed by many cool and re-
freshing springs that rose babbling in the
sunlight from the green. grassy hills and
mounds on either side. But 1 had scarcely
passed the tenth mile post when word was
brought me of my fathers death, slain by
an enemy's bullet. they said, and then just
before the fourteenth had been passed. news
of my mothers death was brought to me.
Oh! the thought of that bitter Journey l
was then to go through all that journey
alone, without mothers loving eye to
watch over me and tell me of the many
snares and pitfalls along the long and
weary journey that is not as yet ended.
No mothers loving hand to reach out to her
erring son and raise him up when he sank
from weakness and despair by the wayside.
No mothers gentle voice to speak words of
cheer. to give him needed words of council.
to tell him which was the right-the
Straighted rOad-the one most free from
thOrnS, Swamps and rugged mountains.
And so, continued my journey with varied
success until near the twentieth mile post.
1 came to (what thought them the most
beautiful spot had ever seen. Everybody
was happy, all were rejoicing and merry
There was no trouble there. Upon inquiry
L found that this was caused by the wa
tiers OF certain spring that had been dis
covered. 1t was said that those who drank
of the waters of this wonderful spring for
got all trouble and care, and remembered
only that which was joyful and pleasant
inquired where l could obtain some of this
wonderful water-fOr had not my many
troubles which was anxious to cast aside?
There were many hands reached out, eager
to grasp mine and lead me forward to this
spring OF care destroying water, goblet of
which was handed me. l drank it with
eagerness and eXultatiOn, and 10, l was as
happy as they. 1t seemed as though had
no trouble travelling Oh my journey. It is
true would Overtake and pass poor old
fellow OH the way Wavering and staggering
from side to side from the effects OF this
same water; but couldn't believe it, and L
told them that if it were true that they
should avoid it and not partake of it, In
answer to this they told me that they
had drank OF it SO often that they could no
longer do without 1t. But l laughed at
them and told them in that case they should
leave it entirely alone. l also informed
them that drank OF it once in awhile; but
l could drink it or let it alone as | chose
They told me in all kindness to let it alone
before it was too late to mend' the
hearts that would be broken and the fond
hopes that would be crushed, the lives that
would be blighted. But why need l listen
to them. There was not the least danger
OF my falling victim to this water; and so
passed them by and travelled on and drank
of the water as much and as often as l
pleased. With proper caution | avoided
the worst places, but l had not gone by
many more mile posts until began to no
tice that | was far from the right road.
The path l was following led over high
mountains. along deep and yawnng chasms
and roaring torrents, and l found that the
more of the water | drank the worse the
roads were. was totally unable to Judge
which was the proper road to travel. l be-
gan to see that it would have been much
better for me had l followed the advice of
my fellow travellers and let this water
(which l afterwards learned was called al
cOhOD alone. could see when looking at
pictures of destroyed lives, homes that had
been pleasant aud harmonious, were now
all tumult and toll. 1t seemed as though it
were likened unto the forbidden fruit in the
Garden of Eden. But l must not let my
pen lnger here. l journeyed on over roads
that were far worse than any had seen be-
fore. and had scarcely passed the thirty
second mile post when was lost and cared
not whether found the right road or not
had given up in despair, and cropping
around in my blindness l stumbled and fell
How tar L fell l knew not. but knew that
it was great way. When l recovered so
tar as to be able to see where l was found
l was in great pit and all was dark and
dreary there. The light only shown from
very small opening at the top. There
was no sunshine there | found many there