The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-02-28
Marriage Not d Failure.

Special to The Mirror.
Dutch Town. Feb. 2l.-By perusal Of the last
MIRROR. 1 see that you anxious to hear
from Skinny the Porter agsIn. and perhaps it
will interest some of your readers inside if were
to give account of the way we pass our time
when not unloading the cars, and of sights
by us while going to and returning from work.
We fall in double file, and march to the north
end Of the city, what is commonly called dutch
town." OF course lead the gang. Tom, the
guard says: skinny wont have no round shout
dered or knock-kneed convcts on the lead. it
would disgrace the whole outfit. want men who
lead. to be, in every respect. good looking and
have a military bearing; and you suit me exactly.
We are forbidden to hrt with any of the girls
We pass, but good looking man will create
impression no matter where he is, or under what
circumstances you meet him, and the result is
that the girls meet all smiling at me- say
ing: Oh, my! look at Skinny the Porter, amt he a
duck, too pretty for anything. and distinguished
looking etc. 1t makes of the boys
jealous. especially. Rhode Island Slim, and
judging from the looks he gives me, he and will
meet in mortal combat before long.
We hang out when not working in side door
Pullman The gang usually separate enter
ing the car-the Jerks occupy one end, while
the other is taken up by jovial crowd who pass
their time principally in singing and dancing. 1t
is my duty porter of the to that the
cranks and GROWERS are kept by themselves to
avoid trouble: and in they refuse to obey my
ORDERS why, your humble servant shapes himself
and rule something falls. 1t is a common
thing for me to knock out four five of the 'Sde
Wheel jack class in day Guards Bordwell and
Longren (but this confdentially) told me that they
would willingly put up a months wages on the
result if go could be arranged between me and
Rhode Island Slim, according to prison rules. Slim
had been blowing good bit about batteries and
the bloody battles he had fought and could not
very well show the white feather. so articles of
agreement we're signed AMI meet tomorrow.
do not wish to blow, but if you had seen the way
done up Slim in twenty hours. it would have
surprised you. got his jugular in the last round
with club, and it was all we could do to resus-
ctate him in time for dinner. After dinner. Tom
says: Come, boys. shake and make up
always feel sorry after fighting man, especially
if 1 whip him, which. by the way, very seldom
occurs. So did not hesitate, but took Sims
hand and led him to one end of the car, where he
told me the reason for falling out with me. it was
all owing to that green-eyed monster. jealousy.
Says he: II have been trying to get married for
the past forty years, but no one would have me;
if had a wife would not be here to-day" Before
left him was fully convinced that marriage was
not failure. After giving the matter due con-
sideration came to the conclusion that married
man was very nearly we'll off as a convict, es.
pecially, since the abolition of the contract system
Previously we got 1927 90 year, now we get moth
ing Yes guess I will get married when released
on the 14th of March. suppose those girls from
Oh -,
will snatch me up bodily and claim me their
own. Whether not, but precaution 1 will
post Tom, and the first crooked move any of them
make. some one will get hurt.
From your humble servant,
SKINNY THE PORTER.