davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
"Who hath the Father and the Son
May be left, but not alone"

What is poetry?' is conundrum we find in an
esteemed contemporary. When young lady re-
ceves letter from her lover. and finds at the
omega of it those soul-inspirlng lines, The rose
is red The violet's blue. No knife cut our love
iu two." she is willing to make oath that sweeter
poetry never was written. The world is full of
poetry. The little girl of six summers, with heav-
emily blue eyes. laughing dimple fluffy golden
hair, pink cheeks and pink sash. is a sweet poem
and ten years hence some young man will want
to metre and form a couplet. The yellow cur
going ''kiting' down the street, with tinware at
tachment, is oem-ot the doggerel order. The
sad-eyed fisherman, who stanza long the rivers
edge four hours without getting bite. is a verse
-averse to standing there any longer: so epics
up his lines. which have not fallen in pleasant
places and concludes to rondeau.wn home. And
the tuft of tender grass that appears after the
SHOWS of winter have departed, is spring poem
but not the kind the editor ''sits down upon"
The man in the white pants at picnic does that
And now if you don't know what poetry 49, we
give it up.-Norristown Herald
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
Plantation Philosophy.

l neber seed err wise man dat couldn't ack
de fool, but hab seed many er fool dat
couldn't ack wise.
Some o de tenderest words is spoke by
de ugliest men. De sweetest hick'ry nuts
grows on the toughest trees.
Err oman dat hab married er POI man
Gaze she lubed him. is mighty APP ter want
her daughter to marry er rich man, no mat
ter whuther she lubs him or not
1t amt whut yer say dat is gwine ter do
de mos good in dis life. It's whut yer git
folks to listen ter. Eff folks won't lissen,
de best things is wasted; eff da dc listen. er
much poer thing mout do er power O. good.
De man whut prayed about de fines pr'ar
l eber hearn cheated me Outen Ell bale O.
cotton de naiXt day; an er man whut l sOr
ter snickered at Gaze he had sent up SIGH er
stutterin' an POI pr'ar, afterwards Helped
me Outen Ell diffikility. 1t amt de man dat
talks ter de Lawd de straghtest dat acks de
straightest wild man.-Arkansaw Traveller.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04

Editor Mirror:
This Easter afternoon, as l sat reading of
Rev. E. P. Roe's excellent books, the P. NJ. hand
ed me bundle of papers and letter from an
esteemed friend and aunt. who had learned Of my
in me stronger tn an my own, and asks to put
myself on the Lords side and all will be right.
Oh. if could only do she, well many
other kind christian ladies ask me to do l would
do it more gladly than anything l ever did 1
would then be able to render account in my
favor when the Lord says to me, Render ac-
count of your stewardship for you shall be stew
ard no longer"
Yes, would be more than pleased if l could be
brought to see and think and feel as those earnest
workers who labor so hard and persistently for
our spiritual welfare. When heard Bishop Gill
bert preaching so eloouently and with such zeal
for us to- day. wondered why it is they take so
much interest in poor. despised of-scourings of
the human race? l thought if they all took so
much interest in us without any hope of earthly
reward we should at least try to lead a very diff
ferent life in the future than have i'll the past
l believe that the work of those friends who
came here to labor for our good and the let
tiers written by others who are too far away TO
come are productive of much good, and for one
hope they will continue what they have begun;
and may the seed sown prove by the results that
it was not cast upon barren ground.
when the righteous are in authority the people
rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule the
people m urn."-Prov. xxx, q W. E. M.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
Easter Reflections.
Editor Mirror

Editor Mirror:
On this beautiful Easter day my thoughts are of
my friends. and the happy Easter days that have
spent outside these stone walls, and the hoped
for days to come when will be with those friends
again; for hope that this will be the asst Easter
Sunday that l will ever spend behind the bars. l
wonder if my friends on the outside ever feel
thrill of JOY great feel when 1 think of that
day of liberty. l often wonder whether 1 will
meet the friends l once knew. and whether they
will greet me in former days Our experience
here leads to believe that there two kinds
of friends, those who show their friendship by
making promises and giving large quaint ties of
advice and those who ready to do an
act of kindness, and who do not wait to be asked.
but are the constant ministers Of good deeds.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04

An old Lake Superior sea captain says that
nothing is ever done when man falls
overheard OH that body of water. The rea-
son, he alleges. is that the water of the
lake is so cold that man cannot live in it
during the time it takes to stop rapidly
moving vessel and lower boat. In twenty
years he never knew but one man who fell
overheard who escaped death. Others
were apparently killed by the shock pro-
duced by falling into such cold water. 1t
is said. too. that the lake never gives up its
dead, and sailors aver that no corpse was
ever seen floating on the lake.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
Address by Secretary Hart.

After chapel services Rev. H. H. Hart secre-
tary of the state board of corrections and chart
ties addressed the inmates upon TOP les of general
interest. He first informed us that it was no part
of his duty to intercede for any one to procJ e
their pardon, but he willing to do anything
in the way of looking up the status of those
where pardon had been applied for, and would
willingly do anything within the scope of his Off.
cal powers and duties to further the interests Of
any one desiring assistance.
He gave detailed description of the plan con.
templated for the RefoImatory to be built at
st. Cloud, which was in substance what THE
MIRROR published some weeks ago. The plan
is similar to that of the reformatory at Elmira.
N. Y. He spoke of the prison system in Ohio
being satisfactory in its results. and he thought
it would be the universal system in time This
system abolishes fixed tine sentences and per-
mits one to gain his freedo m at the minimum Pc
riod Of the time prescribed by law penalty for
the offense, if his conduct justifes his release.
For example: If the penalty for an offense is mot
less than one nor more than five years." he may
gain his liberty in one year. This places good
conduct at premium, where it should be.
He also spoke of the aid society, which is de-
signed to assist those who are rele ased from pris
on and have no friends to rely upon. The diff
cultes in the way of forming such society, one
that would be practical in its workings, many.
and he found similar societies have failed in other
states. The greatest difficulty he has encountered
is to get competent manager.
At the close of his address he complimented
us upon the cheerfulness of our appearance and
gave word of advice and encouragement.
Mr.. Hart has the faculty of placing himself on
level with his audience. He is always a vel.
come visitor and the boys look upon him as their
friend. and would be pleased to see him oftener
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
Will 1883 BE a Year Of War?

The present year is the fifth year in mod
ern times in which the aggregate of the
figures is 25.> and there will be but five more
years in which such a combination is pos
sible prior to the year 1899. Probably but few
have ever heard of the old prophecy which
runs as follows:
In every future year of Onr Lord
When the sum of the figures is twenty-five
Some warlike kingdom will draw the sword.
But peaceful nations in peace shall thrive.
Students of modern history will readily re-
call how faithfully this prophecy has been
fulfilled in the four previous years to which
it applied.
In 1896, Russia. Denmark and Poland
formed the coalition against Sweden which
inaugurated the great war that ended in the
disastrous defeat of Charles XII. at Pull
iowa.
The year 1889 will ever he memorable on
account of the French revolution.
Seventeen hundred and ninety eight wit
messed the campaign of Bonaparte in Egypt
and the formation of the second European
coalition against France.
In 1889 war broke out between England
and Afganistar, followed by the invasion
of the latter country by the British troops.
In what manner the prediction is to be
verified in 1883 remains yet to be seen, but
the present condition of Europe seems to
promise an abundant fultillment of the
prophecy. Enquirer.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
A WOrmy Chestnut.

sMay l venture to tell the old. old story,
Miss Maude," he said TREMENDOUSLY, the
old, old. yet ever new. story Of"
pardon me. Mr. Sampson, if 1 cause
you pain" interrupted the girl, gently,
but to me the story you wish to tell is a
chestnut
"A chestnut?''
gagged: but will be sister,
at isn't as wormy as that one," murmur-
ed Mr.. Sampson, feeling for his at.-New
York Sun.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
A Cr1t1que.
Editer Mirror:

EditSr Mirror:
number of articles have appeared in THE
MIRROR which have given rise to discussions of
questions of interest. and in some cases actual
good has resulted from the presentation of both
sides Of the question:; but just what good some
of the contributors hope to do by resorting fool
ish personalities. and just how many apologies
counter-apologes will be offered. remains to
be determined. This has been a matter of con-
to many of the boys who fail to see how these
schOOl-boy quarrels, and "old TOPPER apologies
are going to promote the interests of THE MIR
ROR. and much less the interests of the inmates.
This perhaps, will convey an idea to the partici.
pants in hyppodromic encounters. that THE MIR
ROR has higher objects than the settlement of
petty disputes, or the display of mud-slinging
procivities. OBSERVER
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
A Card.

Through the columns of THE MIRROR wish
to give expression to the gratitude with which 1
remember those acts of consideration and kind.
ness by which the services and sympathy of many
friends was helpfully shown to me in my recent
trials and bereavement.
also wish to thank the w. c. T. u, of st. Paul,
for Easter greetings. AZILDA BEAUDRY.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
InfOrma ton Wanted.

OF John Lyons, IS years old, formerly of Min
neapOlis, Mimi. Was last heard from at Calves
ton, Texas. where he was employed driving team.
His aged father has not seen him in eleven years
and is anxious to learn Of his whereabouts. Any
information sent to Hon. H. G. Stordock, Box
B. l., saltwater. Mnn, will be thankfully re-
ceived and transmitted to the afflicted parent.
Texas papers please COPY.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
LOCAL PICKINGS.


"A light fall of snow Tuesday morning
-"Josiar' has got 'pianar.' Eth. o. O.?
Ramsey county sent over one l-year man
Saturday.
-Sswdust turnevers are good" Ask the Cherub
or the Hon. NJ. X.
An additional window was put into the north
side of the new boiler house Monday.
Mrs. Capt. w. H. H. Taylor is visiting her
sister, Mrs. F. H. Ewing, in st. Paul.
The '.choir boys" are doing Just Splendid
thanks to their faithful instructor Miss Lam
phear.
w. H. Harrington, proprietor of the Mime
tonka Mirror, paid brief visit to the prison
Monday.
Old Mr.. Winter that ''horrd old creature"
still languishes in the lap OF gentle and fragile
Miss Spring
Many of the inmates the recipients of
handsome Easter cards from devoted friends and
acquaintance.
Hall guard NJ. B. johnson returned Tuesday
morning from two days visit with his family at
Brownsville, Mimi.
For breakfast Easter morning each of the 430
inmates were served with ham and eggs, three of
the latter to each plate.
M ]. O'Donnell, who had charge of putting up
the electric wires in the cell room was married at
Omaha the first of this week.
The two anthems, Christ Hath Entered
Paradise and THE Banner of the Cross" were
excellently rendered by the prison choir.
We notice several of the guards appeared
Sunday in their summer faces, i. e. minus their
boards. Is this sign that spring has come?
All of the citizen employees of the cabinet shop
celebrated Good Friday, and in consequence that
shop presented deserted appearance on that
day.
Inmates are cautioned not to use their plates
for frying pans. Several have been returned the
past week blackened so that they could scarcely
be cleaned
We have heard it whispered that the latest in
regard to the electric lights is that each cell will
be supplied with 7candle power lamp. Hope it
may be so.
ALI of the extra seating capacity of the chapel
was occupied Sunday by visitors, who listened
with rapt attention to the eloquent address of
Bishop Gilbert.
There were IS new arrivals during the month
of March, and 10 received their freedom par ers
Total population March 81. 43O, decease of l over
last month. In hospital. Z.
Secretary Hart spent large portion of the
afternoon Sunday in the cell roc m, visiting var-
GUS inmates; giving a word of encouragement here
and a bit of good advice there. He didn't find
the editors "boudOr."
Sunday afternoon Henry Stordock eldest son
of the warden, fell on the ice near the railroad
spraining the muscles of his left arm in a painful
manner, which will necasstate his wearing II in a
sling for several days.
I'm the sweet sunny south the w. c. T. u
ladies kindly sent Easter greetings to the convcts
in the Huntsville, Texas, prison. as they remem-
bered us here in the wild, wntery north This is
CLEANED from letter to one OF our inmates.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
Inspectors, Meeting.

The board OF prison inspectors held their regu-
lar monthly meeting yesterday, at which nothing
done but routine business. Adjournment was
had until this morning, when Gov. McGill will be
present
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04

-'Sawdust turnOvers,' were among the tooth
some delicacies prepared by the chef of the
guards kitchen on April /. and the avidity with
which some OF the 'innocents' devoured them
is said to be highly commendatory of the chefs
skill in preparing this "succulent' desert.
Griffith d. Williams and son. and Mrs. Alice
Blossom, Minneapolis, accompanied by Miss Lulu
Odell, OF saltwater. among the visitors at the
prison Saturday, and also at chapel services Sun
day. They donated number of religious and
other papers the library. and Mrs. B. also
paid for THE MIRROR one year. Thanks.
Geo. H. Adams, comedian. Isidore Friedman
and Max zoellnor, members of E. NJ. Gardiner
"ZO-Zo" company, paid visit to the prison
Saturday, and found their way to the tower where
THE MIRROR is ground out" They went to
Duluth Monday but will give another of their ex-
cellent entertainments in this city on Friday
evening.
We aim to give satisfaction in prices and in
quality of goods in all departments of our BUSH
ness and can, with pride, refer all strangers to
our customers since 1856. We desire, through the
columns of THE MIRROR to call the public atten-
ton to our stock at all times new. modern, and
by far the largest in the st. Crox Valley of drugs
family medicines. lumbermens drug supplies,
paints, VarnlSneS, brushes, and beautiful parlOr
ard hanging LAMPS. Crandall & Barclay.
The beautiful floral cross which adorned the
chapel pulpit Sunday, was presented by those
faithful and selfsacrifcng workers in the Lords
vineyard, the members of the st. Paul W. C. T. T..
and bore the following greeting and message:
Correcting of the Central w. C. L. U. of st. Paul
Easter 1885," May the glory of the presence of
our risen Lord rest on all your hearts this blessed
Easter morn. Yours iE behalf of the Union.
Elizabeth Lord Condit, Miriam Breckerhof
Georgia N. Tanning. Ray Lchtenberger.''
We are always grateful for any favors con-
ferred upon u.s. in the way of items etc.; but
al of the inmates seem to think it incumbent on
them. every time anything out of the regular
order takes place in our chapel ito write up the
exercises in a manner peculiarly their own, said
''write-up' generally teeming with fulsome praise
for our benefactors. which is not only not accept
abb to sensible people. but nauseatng to the gen.
eral reader. For the benefit Of the above would
be reporters, we wish to state that THE MIRROR
has competent representative present at all
services and ex ercses, who so far has performed
the duties assigned him in manner acceptable
to all concerned. When need any additional
assistance in that line we will not be ackward
in coming forward and making our wants known
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04
Easter Services.


Rev. Albert opened the morning services by
reading from John Xxx, lis. Rev. H. H. Hart
offered prayer, and Bishop Gilbert delivered the
sermon. the theme being Easter Day."
The observance of Easter was denomnated
custom of the christian churches, and its sacred
character was clearly defined. Reference was
made to our early recollections of Easter Day.
when hope held sway where now despair would
reign supreme. We were assured that we had a
right to say that our observance of this holy day
and the petitions we would make to the Father of
all would receive no less consideration because
of our unfortunate position than those of the
more fortunate. We were told of the trials
through which Jesus passed and his triumph over
all Death was to him what it will be to all who
live as he would have us-the beginning of a
new lite. The life beyond the grave was pictured
as one OF contentment where can look back
upon this life as we now look upon the days of
childhood. The inconsistencies of life will then
be plain; men will not be measured by the length
of their bank accounts. neither will our position
in this life determine our standing in heaven We
can take with nothing but character. To live
true, honest lives that may inherit eternal life
should be the al-important aim and object He
closed his address with the following quotatio on
from Bryant:
so live, that when thy summons comes to ioin
The innumerable caravan, which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and
soothed
BY an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant Dreams"
At the conclusion of the sermon our chaplain
offered prayer, and the audience joined in sing
ing. Benediction was p. onounced by the bishop.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-04

The darkest hour is when you can't find
the matches.
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-05-02
LOCAL

aH A<OSAAS " Nos
The 30th of this month will be me-
mortal day.
Work on the Danforth block begins
Tomorrow morning.
The Kate Bensberg company will be
domiciled at the Merchants.
Seats for Bensburg sold rapidly to-day.
n 1t behooves everybody to get around
in front of the board tomorrow.
The city schools were not in session
this forenoon, the teachers having an
engagements at the teachers institute.
Corn planters are not making much
progress, the cold and wet soil DELAYING
operations. Corn will have a late start
this year.
Gold, dark, obeeriess and generally un.
comfortable has been to-day's weather
The spring-time is passing away with.
out any spring.
Bottoms entertainments at the Oongre,
gational church tomorrow evening viii
be n of the Joys which will enter into
Yankton life this week.
The streets possess an attachment iol
wagon and buggy wheels just nov
which, ia only severed by tremendous
pulls on the part Of horses.
Marshal Maratta may be trembling
lest Governor Church in ell his mag
niicent power will take immediate step
for causing Q new marahal to be appoint
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-05-02

Of q faculty we'll styled divine. In
breadth, strength and volume Of tone
Bensberg shows no expansion. She 10
content. to hold her ewn. She guards
her voice with the jealousy of q sultan
watching W. his hsEem, she boards her
power with the eagerness OF q miser
olutching his gold. She deals out her
bounty carefully, parsimoniously, in q
manner almost niggardly. Having at
tanned to that which vein a narrow,
limited way-call perfection, there il
nothing beyond. The most that can be
asked is that the possessor OF such God
given art shall cherish 10 az o trust In
tended to enrich all who come in con-
tact with 1t. She sang with all the bril-
lanoy of execution, thrilling through bars
of music in n breath, witch birdlike
c%learness and sweetness, without q fall
ter, without q flaw, and with an ease and
grace that could be olassed as inimitable.
She Yves warmly applauded in every ap-
pearance OF the stage az Henrietta.
Ed Knight in the part OF George, a
young Englishman. sang to the immense
pleasure OF the audience. His splendid
basso and irresistible acting as "AL En-
glish, you know, }" made o popular and
humorous impression.
Miss Louise Engel as q contralto
makes Q splendid mate to the soprano OF
Miss Bensberg. She repealed her
triumph with unstinted praise again last
evening. Ross Davis, the tenor. sue.
ceeded in pleasing without astonishing
the audience. He has q light voice OF
sweet quality which was heard with sat.
isfaction. The concert was g splendid
success socially; artistically and inan-
cially.
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-05-02

ed. The marshsI's Office did not go
into the campaign very heavy for either
side.
The time Of the adjourned board of
trade meeting to discuss IN amendment
to the bylaws has been changed from
Saturday TO Monday evening.
Regular meeting OF the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union in the
chapel of the Congregational church to-
morrow (Thursday) afternoon at 8
o'clock.
The plans for the new school build
ing are on exhibition at the Yankton
insurance company's office and eontrao-
tors are inspecting them. The new
building will be an ornament to the
city.
City Marshal Brennan locked up q six
foot tramp this morning to keep COM
pany With two others and the city jail
now contains three. AS soon as the
weather permits this trio will be set to
work.
George Bailey q former Ysnktonian,
lost ali his household furniture by a fire
in Sioux City yesterday. Mr.. Bailey's
Yankton friends will help him bear his
loss by extending expressions Of regret
at this calamity.
Tie barometer has been falling since
yesterday and hangs low this afternoon
with q fixed cast wind. Reports from
Dakota and Montana show low baron.
eter and generally an east wind. These
conditions do not promise clearing
weather.
E. H.. Van Antwerp visited Sioux
Falls this week to attend to a law sui,
which had bcen brought against a sur
vey OF Q township which he made last
fall. He went, he saw and he conquer
cd and over the result of the Law suit hs
reloices.
AT the electric light plant house al
the machinery ID in place and thisgi
are in readiness for putting in the CIR
Quits in the city. The lamps which or.
to light the plant buildings are in place
and as soon IS the belts and pulley
arrive the current will be tnrned on.
Danforth's new Third street building
ID TO be 100 feet deep by rs feet in width
two stories high and of brick. It will b,
furnished throughout with ell moderl
store building conveniences and will b.
an ornament to the city. Fred Burgipl
contract price for the work was 5000.
q. II. Bates is waiting for further in
Istructions from Washington before pro.
oeeding with his 1884 meridian survey
ling work. Since the Sioux reservation
bill becsne q law there may be q chang,
in plans and Mr.. Bates wants 10 know
what is In contemplation before he in