The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-10-17
Five Gents.

fact that my good old mother embraced every
opportunity to impress on my youthful
mind the necessity of taking my watch to
''The Jeweler" to be regulated and cleaned
| continued to labor under the delusiOn that
knew all about handling my own property.
| frequently found on examination, that my
watch was altogether ''too fast" but con-
tented myself with the thought that it was
better for it to be trtle so than to be too
slow" In those days l was able to keep it.
within reasonable (?) bounds by means Of
its patent regulator. No one ever had 81.
higher opinion of this watch than its owner
When it was new. many looked at it and
said it was fine specimen. but the old ad-
age of "All that glitterS. etc." proved
only too true in my watch. AS long as the
outside polish lasted it was all right. but
when the wash began to rub off, and about
year ago, show the exact metal contained
in the case. my watch was sorry specimen,
OF what it was supposed to be. My
friends soon learned all about this
same watch and naturally took no
stock in it as reliable timepece or
as an article of any intrinsic value. TO
be brief, this watch was eventually ordered
to this institution for repairs" and l came
with it, as a matter of fact After l had
been here short time | made up my mind
that would completely overhaul my watch,
and as | proceeded in the task | found to-
my surprise that not only was it very much
in need of thorough cleaning but that the
works were broken in several places. 1t
needed new handspring most of ali, and
several of the jewels had been lost from
their settings. | worked at it for long
time, and finally gave up the task as being
too difficult. l was finally persuaded by
two fri lad m MinDnan
lis and one away over in Michigan, to turn
it all over to 1.-The Jeweler." Finally l did
so. telling them how unavaling my efforts
had been
Suffice it to say that He cleaned il
thoroughly. placed in it a new handspring
and reset it with new Jewels OF the finest
grade. So complete was the change in
the works that He altered it from ''stem-
winder and setter" to a keywinding watch.
and the key that came back will wind any
watch. Now l propose to put into practice
a precept that l would earnestly impress
upon all my fellow -unfoItunates here, viz:
BE honest with yourselves and your
neighbOrs." In order to be so with you,
my friends, | must confess that have many
| times neglected to wind my watch; in fact
l have let it remain unwOund for the greater
part of the time, still l am going to earn
estly strive to keep it running regularly and
by constant use of 1.-The key | know full
we'll that l will be able to surprise some of
my skeptcal, former friends that my
Watch' is a good one.
l think that if my friends in this nstitu-
ton will only make careful examination
of their watches and see the effects of i'm
proper usage in former years that they will
be apt to see their error III believing that
| their present circumstances are due to
the iniustices practiced by others. |
firmly believe. my friends, that many men
are confined here unjustly, and viewing
their cases from legal point, they certainly
should not be here. Be honest with your
selves however. boys. and overhaul your
own watches; you will be greatly surprised
to find how much genuine good to your
selves you will accomplish.
1t is very happy time for me to again
possess my freedom, but believe me my
friends, | say good bye to you all with gen.
uine sympathy for many | leave behind.
Should Providence be kind to me and | AM
ever able to lend helping hand to any who
are deserving of sympathy and assistance.
trust l may ever be considered as one who
will gladly do all l can to aid worthy in
mate here or on the outside. INGOMAR.
He: 'Are you fond of noodles, Miss
May?"