The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-08-08
Steer Your Own Craft.

men. In sailing along the sea of life, we.
have allowed our vessels to get into eddies,
which has prevented for time our taking
part in the worlds regatta. The Judgment
we used in navigating our crafts was very
poor indeed, seeing that the dry dock in.
which they now lay is not conducive to
good reparatiOn.
What was the trouble with the most Of
us? We were in too great hurry and did
not take time to look over the chart and
commit to memory the numerous sunken
rocks and eddies we had to contend with.
We sailed along paying too much attention
to other peoples business and too little to
our own. We did not take in enough bal
last of the right description, and in conse-
Quence were driven upon the rocks.
In the selection of our crew we made mis-
takes To be thorough sports, or to appear
as such, we became frequenters of those
public resorts where aQuatics, pugilism
and other sports are talked up, and where
more races are run and battles fought with
the assistance Of old COXswain Booze than
anywhere else. There is an army of dry
land sailors, or lOafers. who hang around
those resorts for the purpose of loading up
on 'benzine" at other peoples expense,
and in trying to reach their domicile after
getting drunk, show their ignorance of
port starbOard or Huff her up" by found
erlng i'll the gutter or tying up to lamp
post until the master at arms who attends
to all derelict crafts, comes along, tows
them into quarantine and holds them there
until the salvage is paid.
BV becoming OafrOOS of those damOraliy-
ing rendezvous. we became acquainted
with these mouth" sailors and untOrt-
unately selected our crew from their num-
Der. Consequently we were nowhere in
the race; we got stranded and sent to our
present harbOr for repairs.
After discovering the errors we have
made, let us-On the necessary repairs be-
ing cOmpleted-launch our crafts out of
this old navy yard'; ballast them with
the best OF material and steer for a shore
where there is more sunshine and happier
surroundings. Let us keep clear of all
those whirlpOOlS which have an OdOr of
rum, and we will gradually make up our
lost ground and be enabled to rest and glide
along with the tide. 1t will be necessary
to occasionally look over our bulls and see
that there is no dry rot or leakage. Pos
Slbly 1t will be necessary to Scrape off few
barnacleS that may have grown through
coming in contact with those slick and
plausible ''Old salts" who are ever in the
way. BY keeping good lookout and see
ing that our cOmpaSSeS are properly adj
justed, there is every chance of our never
again having to 60 into a dry dock con-
trOlled by the state.
In sailing along Iife's tempestuOus sea,
many wrecks will be seen around the base
OF the towering rock of lntemperance. On
whose pinnacle is placed lighthouse with
revolving light necessarily in motion
not as warning to the poor mariner-but
to lure him to destruction.
In order to facilitate matters after we get
out of here and get some Roadway on, let
each of us utilize our telescopes and ell
deavOr to secure good mate to help us;
one who will share the trials and tribula-
tiOnS as we'll as the sunshine which we may
pass through; one who is thoroughly ac-
quainted with the compass and willing to
help in the wheelhOuse. 1t is necessary
that we should have one trained in proper
school, who knows how to rig craft in
the good. OldfashiOned style. displaying
taste and neatness in the trimming of
the sails and who will exercise economy in
procuring the necessary provisions. There
are to be found very indifferent mates
nowadays, who are gotten up to be more
ornamental than useful; they cannot stand
rough weather and are better adapted to sit,
adorned in silks and satins, in the lap of
luxury, than to assist in navigating through
the perilOus voyage of every day life. After
securing competent mate. we may. by jul
diciOus management. be able to enlarge the
dimensions of our vessels. tit them as full
rugged ships, and when we walk upon the
pOops directing their course. we will be en-
abled to sail along unmOlested-that is if
we keep vigilant lookout for pirates
When we occasionally throw off the yoke
of everyday life to enjoy ourselves bath
ing in the sunshine of prosperity. let us
keep our weather eye open for sharks that
are ever on the alert to drag us under.