The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-06-20
Castles In the Air.


How many mythical castles are built
within these walls? 1t would take an army
of stenographers and typewriters to give to
the public the faintest outline of the I'M
aginary editices that are erected with mush-
room velocity behind the bars. But alas.
how many of these gorgeous structures
fall into irreparable ruin when the enthusi-
astic architect again breathes the air Of
freedom? For why? Weak foundations.
defective materials and improper defences
against the ever present enemy. think
can safely say that every man who is un-
fortunate enough to become an inmate
of a prison, is subject to feelings of regret
for his past conduct. He is crushed, and
ashamed to think that he is debarred from
the society of his fellOwmen in consequence
of his misdeeds: he looks back on his past
life and pictures to himself the pleasures
enjoyed in schoolboy days, running and
romping in all the vigor of youth, and join
ing in the hilarious mirth of his school
mates. From that point he becomes more
serious. and looks upon the indelible pho
tOgraph of his cOmingS and goings after
leaving school; and in doing so discovers
the many traps, snareS and temptations
that were laid in his path-the avoidance
Of which would, no doubt, have secured
him comfortable home and the esteem
and regard of the community. l imagine
l can hear him say: IF had done as my
parents wished me to- or. if had chosen
different companions than those who were
patrons of the saloon and the gambling
hell, how different it might have been to-
day" WELL" he says. there is no use
of crying over split milk; l will certainly
try and do better when get out"
The average convict builds his castle
without taking into consideration his most
vulnerable point-lack of self-denial. He
vows ne will never touch another drop of in
tOXicating liquor. and will avoid those who
frequent the saloons and who make liv-
ing dishonesty. Take those inmates who
have no trade and must earn their bread by
common labor, who are liberated from now
on until fall; it is hundred chances to one
you will find them vending their way to
the harvest fields, where they can get from
two to two and a half dollars per day for
their labor. This is all very good and
would have satisfactory results. if those
who go there could hold on to their good
resolutions. But, on the other hand. what
are the temptations attending this mode of
earning livelihood? In the first place,
steady employment cannot be had. except
in few isolated places; in the second place
they may spend a considerable part of their
earnings looking up work; and last but not
least. when the season of reaping and
threshing is over, they will fetch up in one
of the larger cities OF Dakota or Minnesota
,x,f oil rfc ,,I
in morality of men patronizing the festive
''Blind Pig" who are afraid that the few
dollars they have will burn holes into their
pockets. 1t is almost certainty that they
will, perhaps reluctantly. join in the revel-
rieS and in consequence find themselves In
week or so cursing the wheat fields and
threshing machines generally, with the
snow blowing around their ears and insult
fcent clothing on their backs. no home,
no money, no work, and in as bad. if not
worse fix, than when they gained their
freedom. On realizing their position, they
fly with the majority, like needles to
magnet. to the centre of attractiOn-St.
Paul or Minneapolis. where work cannot
be found, more especially at that time of
the year; and in order to shelter themselves
from the wintry blasts they occupy chairs
around the stove of some charitable (?)
SdloOHkecpcT, WutIc tucy cOulc llltO cOu-
tact with some of their old associates. and
before they realize their danger, they are
dragged into the commission of some crime
and become eligible candidates for the pen
itentiary once more. Whereas, had they
secured steady employment at lower wages.
where the temptations would not be so
great, and by good conduct worked their
way up gradually to better and more lu-
crative situations, the chances of their ever
wearing the stripes again would have been
few indeed. AMERICUs.
A home where scolding and fretfulness