The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-08-29
An Appeal for Catholic Literature.

One of my catholic friends asked me the other
day what class of literature pei used in my lea
sure moments. 1 frankly admitted 1 read any
thing could get. but still have craving to once
more dive down deep into good catholic library
such rs my mother had. for even in my hours of
solitude and remorse my thoughts wander back to
my boyhood days when with my mother 1 toddled
off to early mass, and that fond mothers hand
the viccesstudes of time have wrought great
changes. l am boy no more, but have grown
to manhood's estate. Whether guilty or innocent,
l am consigned to a felon's cell, the early mass
has passed" and that fond mother strokes my
head no more have no good. wholesome, cheer
ing catholic literature to delve into now, but still
think of it and wonder why it is thus.
have often thought. with all the philanthropic.
noble and generous-hearted catholics in this state,
they might and should make some provisions for
a catholic library for their less fortunate brethren,
for we are all of one family and we all wear
''shackles'' and have our BARRIERS though the
massive gray walls may not be the barrier of all.
Then why not help us? plead not for myself. (or
have friend. philanthropsts by nature. who
sends me catholic papers) but many less fortunate
than myself. to whom a catholic library would be
an infinite blessing
AS illustration. l have in my possession,
through the generosity of our librarian, the Cos.
mopolitan, for December 1887. which contains
story by Paul Diaz. entitled ''Yseult" The plot
is laid in convent in France. Yseult the heroine
young lady about to take the VEIL but by acct
dent is seen by one of the titled aristocracy, who
forthwith brides the good mother Superior to per.
suade the novice to become his wife. Yseult
20 do, <I,o
through sheer force is compelled to accept him as
her husband. Then grand feast followed in the
little convent chapel, amid great mutitudes of
people, the ceremony solemzed by the bishop.
The climax of course suicide bride of only
few hours. When finished this masterpiece of
literature was vexed, yes mad. Not because 1
had been fooled into reading it. for l know am
no fool at least my enemies don't say am; but to
think that in this nineteenth century, situated as
we are, in a civilized part of the world, such base
ISLANDERS published and sent broadcast against
those who all that is good and pure-unre-
futed.
should feel guilty did not make at least a
feeble attempt to defend those who have unselish-
ly sacrificed all earthly pleasures, that they might
alleviate the sufferings and misfortunes of Others
Although my pen is inadequate to express the
y
self.
But 60 and ask the soldier who was carried off
the battle field, shattered and bleeding nigh unto
death, what motherly and sisterly hands nursed
him back to life and health. Go ask the unfortu-
nate sick as they lie in the hospitals of charity,
lowering between life and death, who stands
beside them administering to their needs Go
ask the orphans who picked them up from the
streets and accepted them their own children.
Go ask those in prison who softens the letters in
which they are bound. Go ask those who have
stumbled by the wayside who beckons them to the
path of Righteousness and they answer with one
common accord 1.-The sisters of God"
Does this libel need any further refutation? l
answer emphatically, no. But cathol cs of Min
nesota be ye in whatever station in lfe your task
to your Maker and your duty to $50 of your unfor-
tunate brethren is not complete until you estab
lish catholic library in this prison What say
you? PLUTO.