The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-18
No. Aprl1818 Five
The Criminals Life Not a Happy One.

The Criminals Life Not a Happy One.-
Editor Mirror:
We are bound to believe that in the great
majority of cases in which crime is the busi-
ness of a life. this negative choice has been
made--the criminal drifted into it. In pro-
fessions and in business one sees fair pro-
portion of cases where ease and honor in
Old age reward the toiler. But it is rare
thing to see nice villa occupied by a re-
tired burglar or pickpocket Even forgers
are not often known to spend happy.
green old age among the companions Of
their early years and labors. There are pro-
feSSional persons who do not make fortunes,
but they have an offset to comparatively
slender means in the love and respect OF
their fellows. It is so with literary men.
They are clever, or acute, or learned, or
brilliant" But there is no laurel for the,
criminals brow, no glory" about his head.
The impression that it is mostly the vigOr-
GUS s-mnded that go into crime is not suS-
tanned; and where exceptional talent was
shown i'll plan or execution. the same law
fully used would have accomplished more
than could be gained in the chosen path of
crime, even if it had not been invaded by
the police.
Notwithstanding the fine maxim:
Honor among thieves" a criminal misses
this compensation. Often corrupt himself,
he is at the mercy of the corrupt. His
partner peaches" "sels'' his associate, or
Quarres with him. and fearing his own be-
fro al Uatc ri6 nf RI I'm IaHu
by treacherOus or a wellaimed pistol-shOt;
Or which is seldom. he relentS sincerely;
or. which is common, he buys a contempt
ible safety by turning states evidence. In
some lines of life. one may miss encOurag-
ment from mans applause, but yet have
good substitute in the peace of their own
hearts, and the approval of their own con-
sciences. But the hardened criminal has
not this inner spring of life. Not on good
terms with himself. he plunges into drink
or other form Of debasement to get rid of
himself. And even where conscience is
dead or drugged or in sulen silence is max
ing up horrible record to be produced. on
the day of retributiOm. fear must be often
active. More than once have criminals
owned that even discovery was relief
from the inner torture Of concealment.
Could the tempted, who are wavering be-
tween hOmely virtue and fiaring crime, only
look into the dens of squaOr, darkness,
disease and dissipation in which crime hides
itself-must needs bury itself-they would
waver no longer. That poor creature saun-
terlng about in snowy dress may seem an
enviable woman to the hard working seam-
stress or the poorly-pai assistant; but if
you could only see the tyranny over her of
another criminal older and worse than she
is-the dirt. disorder, and unwomanly strifes
in which much of her life drags itself out
if you could only conceive OF half the
nameless humiliatiOns of which she is the
helpless victim. often making the river
bed the only bed that offers rest; if you
could only see this, you would hate your
self for even a moments dream in favor of
vice or crime.
We say therefore. to all boys thinking of
what they will do with themselves to all
readers of both sexes weighing the ques-
tiOn: How are we to get On?" keep to
the broad highway, and never allow your
self to deviate from that path of rectitude;
and however greatly you may be enticed to-
wards it, venture not upon the seemingly
smooth and pleasant. but really rugged and
dangerous, downward road G. M.
Who shall change our vile body, that it