The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-10-31

expressing his Op Mon of the editor; but, in refer
ring to it afterwards THE MIRROR force were
unanimously agreed that the F. Ms language
addressed to me and was we'll chosen.
When had r q lined my feet thought it would
look more becoming t r one in my exalted posi-
ton fourteen fights) to more d:gnifed
bearing. SO a>cended the remaining flights of
stairs slowly (and painfully and entered THE
MIRROR Office. The ed tor was no. IN, SO seated
myself at his desk and amused the compos tors
with some chO &c anecdotes. In the midst of one
the editor entered, and look ing at me- he >ternly
enquired, What are you dong here"' l
swered that had been ordered to report to hun
for duty. You were eh? Take your feet off
that desk!' l did Now. empty and wash
those spittoons. and sweep the floor" Could he
be in earnest? l locke / at hlm evidently he
Was. When had completed my task l went to
him, and meekly touching my cap. said. ''Al done
sir; do you W sh me to write something's Write
something! Write what?' he Numbered. "Oh,
er-a-er-an editorial. or. er anything STAN
mered. He looked ut me in peculiar manner.
and heaving deep sigh as though his editorial
duties were wearing on him. passed me without
a word and going to a''case" where a blonde youth
was setting type and after 'nversing with him Il
few nutes. took up a bundle OF papers and left
the room.
On the EDITORS departure the b. y. calle me
him and giving m an iron dingus he called
stick informed me with an important air that
he would give me my first Instructions in the art
preservative Of arts politely thanked him for
his kindness. complimented his beautiful bangs
ami expressed the wsn that our rel It ons would
be of the most cordial nature. He answered pleas
antly and We worked Oh in silence. shortly the
editor returned and entered into discuss on with
the exchange editor as to the merits or demer is
of a contributed art Gle. How apply they quoted
from different authorities in pro # of the IF
tons! And how gbly, how eloIuenty. how
| learnedy they argued! All, how prou how hon.
ored felt, to be AN associate OF such men. Dur
ing the discussion. they differed as to passage
in Shakespeare; thinking THIS good opportunity
to show that l was not so illterate as they
seemed to regard me, stepped forward and gave
them the correct quotation. l expected to be
| overwhelmed with thanks. but the editor said
that could return to my work and if he should
ever need IN. advice he would not hesitate to ask
for it. returned to my lease" abashe l, humil:
ated crushed. How l longed to be with my COM
rades on the bank with nothing to do but shovel
mud and watch the guards. Ten minutes later
| the b. y. turning TO me asked Can you read?'
No -Yes-I don't know" stammered. for by
this time was in such state of mind l would
not positively assert anything. Take your
time and answer correctly blandly resumed the
b. y. NOW" he continued. If you have made
up your mind that you can re I'd, you will please
to observe that there IS H. thing in your copy
which requires eight consecutive lines OF q's." 1t
| seems III my excitement. and to cover my ,nfu-
son after the EDITORS snub, had turned to the
| south west corner of my case and hat nearly
emptied the q box. Ii was in order for every
! one in the room to maze remarks. some were in
tended to be witty, Il i were cruel and senseless.
| There were mysterious illusions to the goat"
which the b. y. afterwards into rmed M.
mode of torture inf cted u, tnnse learning the
printers trade who should be gu lily of making
foolish blunders. q fear shall nave t. undergo
this torture YETI | marke tn q box 'danger-
| Ous' and firmly resolved not to touch one under
any C. rcum stances and not to speak wori I'M
less personally addressed, aud got On very we'll
with the exception OF ii few MINOR mistakes which
the y, whom bel is my friend the COM
phment to his bangs was not thrown away kindly
corrected.
l worked on for fully hour without doing any
thing to draw special attention to myself when
one of the c.'mpns.t ors cried out. There's p."
where? Give sOme.' l cried, forgetting
every, hing. and in my excitement l turned the
stick bottom up and spilled the type on the
floor. The derisive grins that greeted e. proved
| had made another blunder. But why g. further?
Why tell Of the mean advantage the b. y. took of
my trusting and confding nature to get me in
terested in II mythical species of vermin known
| AS "type-lice," that he ght make me the victim
of practical Joke? AEd-and but enough.
This is u true. though an imperfectly written
portrayal of my first day experience i'm THE
MIRROR Off e. The subsequent days have been
equally fruitful Of unpleasant experiences.
Appreciation.