The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-01-18
Stand Alone.
Editor Mirror:


Editor Mirror:
1t is the misfortune of young people. be-
fore they become fully engaged in the rela-
tions of life and business, that they look
too much to acquaintances for encourage
ment, and make the amusement which their
associates furnish too indispensable. The
tender mind of youth is reluctant. or unable
to stand alone; it needs to be one of class.
Hence the hours that ought to be spent in
the acquisition of that general knowledge
which is so useful in after life, and which
can be acquired only in youth, are thrown
away in the most inglOrious pursuits. for
acquaintance are seldom the companions
of study or the auXiliarieS of business.
Emotions that are not followed I'D by
their appropriate action have tendency to
decrease and perish. Thus soft-hearted
tendency and ready sympathy, if allowed
to eXpend themselves without producing any
practical effort to relieve suffering or to give
happiness, grow feebler and feebler until
they degenerate into puerle self-pty
which makes even cruelty and injustice
possible. Manners have been somewhat
cynically defined by wise men to keep fools
at distance. Fashion is shrewd to detect
those who do not belong to her train; and
seldom wastes her attentions. Society is
very swift in its instincts. and if you do not
belong to it, reslsts and sneerS at you, or
quietly drops you. Accordingly the cOnd-
lions and surroundings of life are largely
what we make them. This is the case,
first of all. through our direct influence
We are either raised OrlOwered by our asso-
Citations. Men are generally alike in their
lower natures; it is in their higher character
that they differ. Manners, temper, intel
lect and morals are all directly influenced
by our surroundings, and those who chose
for themSelveS,frendS of an inferior caste
whether of mind or manners, of morals or
of cOnduct-fall to the level of their choice.
AS general thing we reap that which we
have sOwn. But where it is not so, where
circumstances over which we have no con-
troll come in the form of trials or joys,
even these are greatly modified by the spirit
in which they are received. Who has not
seen poverty or bereavement borne so he
rOically and cheerfully that the afflicted one
seemed rather an object OF envy than of
compassion? On the other hand, who has
not seen one with every outward advantage
that earth has to bestOw rendering himself
and others miserable by fretful complaints
of troubles too petty to deserve moments
notice? There are millions of human be-
ingS who. but for suffering. would never
have developed all atom of affection. There
are powers to be born, creations to be per-
fected, through the ministry of pain, which
could be born and perfected in no other
way.
Our sorrow, which appears to us nothing
but yawning chasm or hideOus precipice,
may turn out to be but the joining or ce-
ment which binds together the fragments of
our existence into solid whole. The
dark and crooked path in which we
have to grOpe our way. in doubt and fear,
may be but the curve which. in full day.
light of brighter world, will appear to be
the necessary finish of some choice Orna-
lnent, the inevitable span to some bright
project. The finer the nature the more
flaws will it show through the clearnesS of
it. The best things are the most seldom
seen in their best form; same as tender
hearted and compassionate disposition
which inclines men to pity and feel the mis-
fortunes of others and which is even for it's
own sake incapable of inclOsing any man in
misery. is Of all tempers of mind the most
amable one, though it never receives much
honor. is worthy of the highest. 1 am hap
by to say that in all our troubles, we are
fortunate enough to have men with such
dispositions as the last mentioned at the
head of this institution. One thing we
should always remember. that our greatest
glory is not in never falling, but in rising
every time we do fall. G. Nj.
Jan. ~. 1883.