The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-08-22
of a Sleep-Seeker---A Sono-
rOus Canary.

Musings of Sleep-Seeker---A Sono-
rOus Canary.
Years ago. when but lad, l remember
reading book entitled. TONY the Sleep
less" and would resolve to stay awake
one whole night. just to see if would feel
like Tony did. But bOyish resolutions,
like those of children of an older growth, -
ARE often broken before fully made, and my
5only recollection the next morning would
1be of the goodnight kiss and loving caress
kof that dear mother who little thought that
the merry lad whom she watched over so
lovingly, so INCREASINGLY, would one day
senter the broad way that leads down, down
Ito lower depths than her pure mind cOnId
fever conceive, and to end at last behind
stone walls and iron bars, and be compelled
Ito drink the bitter cup; aye. to its dregs.
But what are iron bars around us. to the
iron which enters the soul when thoughts
like these come surging through your re-
apelling brain-compelled to think. All!
zthere is no escape from self here, and as the
Eearly gray of another morning is stealing
Through the broad window and lighting up
THE gloomy corridors, wonder how many
of my companions are doomed to sleepless
nights and tOrmenting memory.
No need now to struggle against the
EdrOwsy god, to feel like Tony did, but many
Ia night as my eyes refused to close-and
ewOOing slumber but seemed to make her the
/ more coy-have thought Of Tony and my
sboyhoOd. Lying awake in my cot or walk
ling up and down the narrow confines of my
|cell is not pleasant way to spend an en-
tire night, and yet there are. at times.
lmany little incidents that serve to break the
RmonotOny of the long hours, and it is to
chronicle events of last night that l take my
pen in hand.
spent'a busy evening, and was in hopes
that when the bell rang. that | could don
my slumber apparel and easily enter that
Eblissful land of Inconsistencies. AS the
evening drew on knew that l was booked
for night of it. Nine o'clock; three taps
kof the bell; noise incident to preparing for
Ebed soon ceased; the rattle of doors as the
guards make their first round, and presently
Iall is still.
AS the bell resOunded through the cell
room last night. l thought of the many
kinds of bells and their many missions.
bells are, as rule, indicative of happiness
land are rarely associated with grief. The
| first bell which interested me greatly was
the scissors grinders, and many an hour have
L followed one of these artists, just to see
the wheel go rOund' and watch the sparks
fly. The school bell, how it rings in my
ear and carries me backward to my happy
school days. The tinkle of the cow bells
recalls the long summer vacations at the
e. h. II I'd 10 kIo ~
sthat looked so dOcile and when mounted
proved so fractions; the rides on the hay
wagon; the harvesting, the Orchard-and
FINALLY the warning bell of the train that
was to carry me homeward. What meaning
has that bell for its cargo of human freight?
| Is it bringing sundered hearts tOgether-Or
tdOes it sound sad farewell? Is it carrying
messages of joy or woe? All, who knows?
The church bell. ever grateful to the ear, as
it swells on the morning air, and so gently
reminds you of the holy Sabbath and its
solemn duties. It may, at times, toll
tmOurnfully for loved ones gone before, and
yet it seems to say, Il ring but to herald a
better, purer, a nObler life." There are
many other kinds of bells-the merry jing-
Hing sleigh bells, that tell of love and youth;
the drivers bell in the bob taiP' car; the
bellies of society, and even the much abused
chestnut bell. But there is one bell that has
two far different messages. The prison
bell:" it brings release to the guards on
duty; it tells them of home, of wife and
children waiting with loving welcome. But
lit strikes chill to the prisoner, and his
narrow cell seems to contract and every
treverbration seems but to bind his letters
the more closely. Dread sound.
The prison BELL the prison bell.
Gods curse upon its iron tongue.
Fit emblem of this earthly hell
Where every heart with anguish rung,
Must listen to notes which toll
For earthly hopes, a funeral knell,
And shudder, in your Utmost soul
averv sound of nrisOn hell