davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-05-16

it may be said, that for nearly twenty years
that man preyed upon society in Europe
and the two Americas. The crimes that
.he committed were almost ihnumerable.
His criminal career cost society more than
would be credited by any stranger to his
life. He served one term of three years iD
French prison and another of two years
in North American prison. besides the one
mentioned above. Finally he was arrested
in an eastern city for murder; a murder
committed while trying to evade All arrest.
He was sentenced to be hung. A few days
before the date fixed for his execution he
gave to friend the story of his life. And
that story, told in the shadow of the gal
lows. ended with these words: IF my first
crime had been forgiven | would have lived
and Fed an honest man."
There are hundreds. yes, thousands of
convcts and eX- convicts who can say the
same. Society made that man a professional
criminal. The officer who arrested. the
Justice who committed. and the Judge who
passed the sentence knew, if they knew
anything. that he was not criminal. Why
was an effort not made to save him? Simply
because no person in that western city cared
whether or not he was sent to the peniten-
tiary.
Now the law must be upheld. A serious
crime must be punished whether or not it
be the first crime committed by the guilty
person. But to place the brand of convict
upon a first offender. man or boy. for a
petty offence. committed under eXtenuating
circumstances. is an act the harvest of
which society. sooner or later. will surely
reap.
Look at the question from the standpoint
of humanity. if you can. or regard it from
the standpoint of dollars and cents. as you
will and say whether such barbarity is
worthy of this age of reason.
This subject will be farther considered in
an article which will appear next week.
T. B. F.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-05-16
"Thfrty Hour JOker.o

In the May Century George Kennan
gives us the following delightful story of
his experience among the junk shops in
a small town on the border of that far away
and little known country. Mongolia:
In one of these shops we were astOnished
to find an old secondhand copy of Dick
ens's "AIl the Year Round" How it came
there could hardly imagine. but it seemed
to me that if the periodical literature of
Great Britain was represented in one of the
shops of the TrOitskOSavsk baZar We ought
to find there also copy of some American
magazine left by globe trotter'' from
the United States. My professional and
patriotic pride would not allow me to admit
for moment that ''All the Year Round"
might have a larger circulation in outer
Mongolia than The Century Magazine.
A After long and diIigent search in queer
dark second hand booth kept by swarthy
MOngOl | was rewarded by the discovery
of product of American genius that partly
satisfied my patriotism and served as tan
gble proof that New England marks the
time to which all humanity keeps step. 1t
was an old second hand clock. made in
Providence, Rhode Island, the battered and
grimy face of which still bore in capital
letters the characteristic American legend.
Thirty Hour JOKER Mongolia might
know nothing Of American literature or of
American magazines, but it had made the
acquaintance of the American clock; and
although this particular piece Of mechan-
ism has lost its hands. its Thirty Hour
Joker was sufficiently pointed alluSiOn
to the national characteristic to satisfy the
most ardent patriotism. An American
joker does not need hands to point out the
merits of his jokes, and this mutilated New
England clock with its empty key-hOle
eyes and its battered but still humorous
vsage, seemed to leer at me out of the dark
ness of that queer old second hand shop as
if to say. You may come to Siberia, you
may explore Mongolia. but you can't get
away from the American joker" | was a
little disappointed not to find in this bazar
some representative masterpiece OF Ameri-
can literature but was more than salts
fled short time afterward when dscOv-
cred in still wilder and more remote part
of the rans-Baika "a copy of Mark Twain's
Life on the Mississippi and Russian
translation of Bret Harte's Luck Of Roar
ing Camp"
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-05-16
Contributed.
WEET DAY.DREAMS.

l built me a beautiful castle.
In grandeur none could excel;
And when the work was finished,
felt as it all were well.
The site was a gorgeous rainbow.
O'er-hanging the earth SO far
1t seemed in that sweet elysinn,
No one could my happiness mar.
l gazed with ininite rapture,
AS brighter the vision grew;
Till my heart was filled with gladness,
So strangely sweet yet new.
For saw-nee er seen before
In the tints of that beautiful rainbow,
That God alone was the artist,
The smile. the light. and the glow.
Alas. for the dreams of maiden.
A cloud chased the sunshine away;
And with it took rainbow and castle
In all their grand array.
But the beautiful lesson it taught me,
OF Gods constant presence and love,
Is to my memory fadeless flower
priceless treasure-trOve. l.. ID.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-05-16
How To Make Professionals. Is

To-day, in every prison in the world,
there are boys and young men serving their
first term. who will, after their release. en-
ter the ever increasing ranks of professional
criminals. Their hours of solitude are
largely devoted to the consideration of flu
ture plans varying in ingenuity from simple
burglary to elaborate combinations difficult
to detect, incapable of proof and impossible
to convict Some of them will pass ten,
twenty or even thirty years in different
prisons before death closes their earthly ca
reer. Others, more fortunate or possessing
greater skill and prudence, may prey upon
society and never pay the penalty. What
will be the results of their leading crmi-
nal life? A vast sum of money will be spent
to convict and to keep them in prison.
Thousands of persons will be robbed of
their property and many will be financially
ruined. Human suffering and human mis-
cry untold will be the direct results of their
crimes.
Surely such facts as these may we'll cause
careful study and consideration. How to
decrease tine number of professional crimi-
mails is problem that has but one practical
solution; and that solution is embodied in
three wOrdS-stOp making them. few
illustrations will show what Is meant. Some
years ago in an eastern city WOrklngman
was arrested and charged with crime. He
haG always been an honest and law abiding
citizen. The money he earned was sutfi-
cient to provide the necessities for his wife
and children. He was. through no fault Of
his own, deprived of work. Day after day
passed but he was unable to earn dollar
What does this mean to poor man? 1t
means starvation. beggary or crime. He
committed crime. He violated the law of
the land. and that law requred-mark the
wOrd-requlred that the brand of convict
should be placed upon him. Friends, who
knew his record. came to the rescue. What
did they do? They arranged matters so
that the law was evaded. TO do this char
table act they had to violate another of So
cietys laws: the one which Furnishes the
compromising of felony. That man was
saved. He rejOned his wife and family.
and is now an honest, respected and useful
member of society. Suppose for an instant
that the law had not been evaded, what
would have been the probable effects of its
operation? The father would have been
lOCkcu up Will Vi iIHIiloIS' ~IIu. dIlcI SpCIIu-
ing few years with them. the chances are
that he would have graduated professional
criminal. A wife and mother would have
gone through life broken hearted woman.
Innocent children would have lived and
died under the disgrace of being the children
of convict. And when that man lay on
his deathbed, tortured with the recOllectiOns
of crimes committed i'm by gone days. might
not he be pardOned for saying to society:
Il was once an honest man. [ was liable
to err. In moment of weakness | violated
one of your laws. What did you do? Did
you consider the circumstances that sur.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-05-16

1t frequently occurs, that when man
has put his foot in it. his cheek helps him
out.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-08
CHAPTER XVI.
MR.. QUEST HAS HIS INNINGS.

All that afternoon and far into the evening
Mr.. Quest was employed in drafting, and
with his own hand engrossing on parchment
certain deeds, TO the proper execution of
which Ec seemed to find constant reference
necessary to a tin box Of papers labeled
"Honham Castle Estates
BY II that night everything was finished,
and, having carefully collected and docketed
his papers, he put the tin box away and went
home to bed.
Next morning, about 10 o'clock, Edward
Cossey was sitting at breakfast in no happy
frame of mind He had gone up to tho castle
to dinner on the previous evening, but it can
not be said that he had enjoyed himself. Ida
was there looking very handsome in her
evening dress, but she was cold as stone and
unapproachable as a statue She scarcely
spoke to him, indeed, except in answer to
some direct remark, reserving all her CON
versation for her father, who seemed to have
caught the contagiou of restraint, and was,
FOR him, unusually silent and depressed.
But once or twice he found her looking at
him, and then there was upon her face Il min
ged expression of contempt and irlepressble
aversion which chilled him to the marrow
These qualities toward him were indeed 50
much more plainly developed than they had
been before, that ut last conviction which
he had at first rejected as incredible, forced
itself into his mind. That conviction was,
that Belle must have disbelleved his denial of
the engagement, and in her eagerness for re-
venge have told Ida the whole story. The
thought mado him feel faint, but there was
but one thing to bo done, and that was TO face
it out. Once when the squire'S back was
turned he veniured to attempt some little
tenderness in which the word dear oc-
cured, but Ida did not seem to hear it, and
looked straight over his head into space. and
this he felt was trying. So trying did he
find the whole entertainment JUDGED that
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-08

proper way"
''lnde.d said Mr.. Quest, ~ am very glad
to hear it,"
ayes, yes, said the squire, unfortunately,
I am under some restraints in speaking about
the matter at present, or l should like to ask
your opinion, for which, as you know, have
q great respect. Really, though, | do not
know why should not consult my lawyer
on a matter of business; l only consented not
to tr7impet the thing about"
Lawyers arc confidential agents. said
Mr. Quest, quietly.
"Of course they are, Of course and it is
their business to hold their tongues. l may
rely upon your discretion, may | mott"
Certainly" said Mr.. Quest.
"Wen, the matter is this: Mr.. Edward
Cosscy is engaged to Miss de la Mole lie
has just been here to obtain my consent,
which, of course, have not withheld, as l
know nothing against the young man-noth-
ing at all. The only stipulation that he
made is, ] think, a reasonable one under the
circumstances, namely, that the engagement
is TO he kept quiet for little while on ac-
count of the condition Of his fathers health.
He says that he is an unreasonable man, and
that he might take prejudice against it."
During the announcement Mr.. Quest had
remained perfectly quiet, his face showing
no signs of excitement, only his eyes shone
with curious light.
Indeed, he said, "this is very interesting
news
"Yes," said the squire. THAT is what I
meant by saying that there would be no
necessity to mako any arrangements for the
future payment Of interest, for Cossey has
Informed mo that he proposes to put the
;,,+ l1.p
riage."
Indeed, said Nh guest; 'well, he could
hardly do less, could he' Altogether, think
you ought to be congratulated, Mr.. de la
Mole. 1t is not often that man gets such
a chance of clearing the membranes off a
property. And now | am very sorry, but l
must be getting home, as promised my wife
to be back for luncheon. As the thing is to
be kept quiet, suppose that it would be
premature for ing ~ Sifer my congratula-
tons to Miss de % MolI."
Eyes, yes, don't say anything about it at
present. Well, gooI-by.n
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-08
CHAPTER XIV.
BELLE PAYS A VISIT.

Mr.. Quest got into his dog cart and drove
homeward, full of feelings which it would be
difficult to describe.
The hour of his revenge was come. He had
played his cards and lie had won the game,
and fortune with it, and his enemy lay in the
hollow Of his hand. He looked behind him
at the proud towers Of the castle, rejecting
as he did SO that in all probability they
would belong to him before another year
was over his head At one time he had
Earnestly longed ito possess this place, but
now this was not so much the object of his
desire. What he wanted now was the money.
With e30,0O0 in his hand he would, together
with what he had, be a rich man, and he had
already laid his plans for the future. OF tho
Tiger he had heard nothing lately. She was
cowed, but he well knew that it was only 1or
awhile By md by her rapacity would Go-
the better of her fear, and she would recon-
mence her prosecutions This being so he
came to "a deterlnination--he would put tho
world between them. Once let him have this
money in his hand and he would start bis
life afresh in some new country; he was not
too old for it, and he would be rich man.
and then perhaps he might get rid of tho
cares which had rendered so much of his lifn
valueloss If Belle would go with him, well
and good-if not, he could not help it, II shs
did go there must be a reconciliation first,
for he could not any longer tolerate tho life
they lived. In due course he reached The
Oaks and went in. Luncheon was on the
table, at which Belle was sitting. She was,
as usual dressed in black and beautiful to
look on; but her round, babyish face was
pale and pinched, and there were black lines
beneath her eyes.
II did not know that you were coming
back 10 luncheon she said; Il am afraid
there is not much to eat"
eyes" he said, 81 finished my business up
at the castle, SO l thought l might as well
como home By the way, Belle, have bit
OF news for you"
"What is it" she asked, looking up sharply,
for something in his tone attracted her atten-
ton and awoke her fears.
"Your friend, Edward Cossey, is going to
be married to Ida de la Molle."
She blanched till she looked like death
itself, and put her hands to her heart as
though she had been stabbed
"The squire told mo so himself" he went
on, keeping his eyes remorselcssly fixed upon
her face.
She leaned forward, and he thought that
Shawas going to faint. but she did not BY
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-08

"What cowardM said Belle to herself.
"ae does not even dare to tell me the truth"
Nearly On hour later she arrived at the
castle, and, asking for Ida, was shown into
tho drawing room, where she found her Sit
ting reading.
Ida rose to greet her, not without warmth,
for the two women, although they We're at
the opposite poles Of character, had friendly
feeling for each other.
In a way they were both strong, and
strength always recognizes and respects
strength.
"Have you walked upl' asked Ida.
Eyes, l came on the chance of finding you.
I wanted to speak to you"
yes" said Ida, what is it!'
This. Forgive me, but are you engaged
to be married to Edward Cosscyr
Ida looked at her in q slow, stately kind OF
way, which seemed to ask by what right she
came to question her. At least SO Belle
read it.
Il know that l have no right to ask SUCH
question" she said, with humility, land, Of
course, you need not answer it, but have q
reason for asking"
"Well,n said Ida, 81 was requested by Mr..
CosSoy to keep the matter secret, but he APP
pears to have divulged it. Yes, am engaged
TO be married to him."
Bellies beautiful face turned a shade paier,
if that was possible, and her eyes hardened.
"Do you wonder why | ask you thisfn she
said. II will tell you, though probably when
l have done so you will never speak to me
again. am Edward Cosseys discarded mis-
tress," and she laughed bitterly enough.
Ida shrunk little and colored, as a pure
and high minded woman naturally does when
she is for the first time suddenly brought into
actual contact with impuriry and passion.
II know" went on Belle "that l must
seem shameful thing to you; but, Ida, good
and cold and stately as you are, pray God
that you may never be thrown into tempta-
ton; pray God that you may never be mar
riod almost by force to man whom you
hate, and then suddenly know what thing
it is to fall in love, and for the first time feel
your life awake
"Hush," said Ida, gently; "what right
have to judge youi'
Il loved him, went on Belle, 81 loved him
passionately and for little while it was as
though heaven had opened its gnteS, for he
used to care for me little, and l think he
would have taken mo away and married me
afterward, but l would not hear of it, because
l know it would ruin him lie offered to
once, and refused, and within three hours
of that believe that he was bargaining for
you. Well, and then it was the old story, he
fell more and moro in love with you, and, Of
course, had no hold upon him."
Yes" said Ida. moving impatiently. "but
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-08

why do you tell me all thisl it is very pain
full and had rather not hear it.n
"Why do | tell youl tell you because
do not wish you to marry Edward Cossey. l
tell you because | wish him to feel n little OF
what have to feel, and because | have said
he should not marry you"
81 wish that you could prevent it" said
Ida, with u sudden outburst. Il am sure you
are quite welcome to Mr.. Cossey, 50 far ~ l
am concerned, for [ tetest him, and | cannot
imagine how any woman could ever have
done otherwise"
Thank you said Belle, "but have done
with Mr.. Cossey, and | think [ hate him
too know that did hate him when | met
him in the street just now, and he told mo
that lie was not engaged to you You say
that you detest him; why then do YOU marry
hint You are a free woman"
"Do you want to knowm said Ida, wheel
ing round and looking her visitor full in the
face. II am going to marry him for the
same reason that you say caused you to
marry-because | must. | am going to
marry him because he lent us money. On
that condition promised to marry him, and
as have taken the money must give him
his price, even if it breaks my heart You
think that you are wretched how do you
know that Lam not fifty times as wretchedi
Your lot is to lose your lover; mine is to
have one forced upon me aud endure him all
my life. The worst of your pain is over; all
mine is to come.n
"Why9 whyl' broke in Belle. "What is
such promise as thatl He cannot force
you to marry him, and it is better for o
woman to die than to have TO marry man
she hates, especially" she added, meaningly,
''if she happens to love another man. Be ad-
vised by me; know what it is"
YES said Ida, perhaps it is better to
die, but death is not so easy. AS for the
promise, you do not seem to understand that
no gentleman or lady can break a promise in
consideration Of which money has been re-
| ceived. Whatever he has DONE and what
ever he is, | must marry Mr.. Cossoy, SO do
[ not think that we need discuss the subject
, any more"
/ Belle sat silent for a minute or more and
| then, rising, said that she must go. II have
warned YOU" she added, although to warn
you | have had to put myself at your mercy.
You can tell the story and destroy me if you
like. | do not much care if you do. Women,
such as I, get reckless"
/ "You must understand mo very little, Mrs.
| Gust" lit had always been Belle before, and
she WINGED at the change Of name, "if you
think me capable Of such conduct. You have
| nothing to fear from me-
She held out her hand, but in her humility
and shame Belle went without taking it, and
through the angry sunset light walked
slowly back to Boisingham, and us she walked
there was look upon her face that Edward
Cossey would scarcely have cared to see.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-08

"Oh SO you have been up there this
morningn
eyes, had TO see the squire about some
business"
"Indeed." Then looking him in the eyes
agan: "Are you engaged TO be married to
Idaf'
He colored again, lie could not prevent
himself from doing so.
"No," he answered; "what makes you ask
such question:
81 don't know" she said, laughing little;
feminine curiosity, l suppose. l thought
that You might be. Good-by," and she won't
on, leaving Edward Cossey to the enjoyment
Of Il very peculiar set of sensations.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-09-10
A SAD ACCIDENT.
Ten Men Entombed in a
Flooded Wine.
KILLED WITHOUT wsRNrNs.
ss VIII Tske Two sr Three Week.
hsfsre willing Hanas Can
Reach the Redi~..

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Waite Asa co&s rslEs. sa oil sssn1enss 4
mine nexf TIE Waite Ash uains and seY
mouths hiss been faig ot wsser. Wiz
eat moments warning she wstsr
bars tareagh sate tAe wa1ge Asa
Eatcs alliHg IL fan af rauA
ss1si wzter. Tea miners are knosSs =, have
sstss Al MssTs IN tt1s hite AS rnssss a. the
GEzs - TIE acc53e8t- ami not one az theyn
en1ss EssS lfveSt 6va rasunse~ after sAss
>siFsia9 f1zSs bFake sa on taeaa Is vii
sAse two &C tnf~3 ues as s<fa-e tEsc t.sas4s
c&n ~ rescaet
Ia TIE exssseEaeas Only 80 Of the names
eAh ~ .esrasd soalgAs. NJ. Alien aud
Jack Morgan. There srs fsas brothers b--
sides EosF ether Fasn, EasxEug tia. 81
Tea ans arr positively knowu te
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fneEesd 81 onee by willing hsna<
IN order 10 pump the nslne aFf. hut ela
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say u Ell ss tmpaSssl,is "a riesr the snsue
sad rssch the oadzes under tas and per
hsps three weeks
PAEs o{ the men leave iMnz1kes whs, are
&c s~ssstsenf on taeFn. white .ke rest arg
single ieea and hig0iy spoken uf.