The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-02-14
Five Gent s.

more often than otherwise, is the bright
halo of usefulness found adOrning the heads
of its occupants. AS the Rev. Talmadge
once said: MY mother was unable to-
preach the Gospel, but she could raise two
sons who devote their lives to that pur
pOSe."
To come to the point: what is primarily
essential 10 usefulness? Self-relance. en-
ergy--tO use all expressive term-gumptOn.
If, when we undertake a work, we do So
impressed with the idea that we cannot sue
ceed. we but herald the news of our de-
feat. There was a man in this institution
at one time detailed to work in the kitchen.
His principal duty was to wash dishes and
have them put away within a reasonable
time. In being coached through the routine
of his labOrs. he became impressed with the
idea that he could not do the work, and
begged to be given other employment. The
reason l mention this is because many Of
our number know that the work Is very
easy. But chinaware, like cord wood,
makes huge pile if not properly stacked.
Therefore when we attempt anything let u.s.
jump right at it without fear. Go in with
might and main regardless OF its abStruSe-
ness. The nettle pr;cks il lightly touched,
but loses its potency when firmly grasped.
How often do we stink gingerly into cold
bic chill. A quick plunge would settle it,
Think you that we would have the tele-
graph, telephone or electric light. if such
men as Morse, Bell and Edison were fearful
of failure while planning their several in
ventiOns? 1t is said that Gladstone. though
past seventy. does the work of three men.
And why? Because he has energy and sta
bility. Though there is an immense differ
ence between Gladstone and the ordinary
man, yet there is point on which we can
base cOnlpar son. Gladstone HAS the en-
ergy. is fully aware of it. and utilizes it to-
its full extent. The ordinary man HAS the
energy. is criminally ignorant of the fact,
or is too lazy to arouse it from its dormant
state.
Take those of our number for whose eS-
pecial benefit school has been Started il
they are not made to appreciate the fact
that they must work like TrOjans to
awaken their latent powers. they will be un-
able to rend the blighting cloud which dark
ems their life and debars them from the mu--
tual fellowship of mankind.
We can all accomplish. for the good Of
ourselves in particular and society in gene
raj. great deal more than we at present
have any idea of. Melaphorically speak,
ing, we ale as engines of hundred horse
power doing the work of a similar machine,
of one half that capacity. Hence wasting
so per cent. Of our power daily. Many
will ask: what can l do cannot get the
books l would like to study? First of all.
rub the dust off your slate and arithmetic.
and figure out the compound interest OF
500 at per cent for five years. These.
are nice round figures and will start an in
teresting train of thought Oh, you can
not learn arithmetic without a teacher 1
say you can. Take week if necessary for
the first sum, the next will take day less.
Steel yourself for three months of solid
agony. You will then be pleased and proud
of the result. Anything that is easily ac-
quired does not amount to much. If you
are anxious to follow some particular study
you will find the means of so doing. even
though you are without spare cash. do
not say this in any vague and unmeaning
sense, for | am morally certain that if you
are earnest in your intentions the. Warden
will procure the books for you. In conclu.
sion l wish to emphasize the necessity of
self-reliance and Capitalization of will
power to insure success. You cannot ac-
complish anything if you are constantly
jumping from study to newspaper, thence
to pipe and so on. Nor is it necessary
to cOnfne your attention to any one subject.
But if you set aside an hour for purpose,
do not undertake anything else during
those sixty minutes.
feel that this article. if it does no fur
ther purpose. has fulfilled worthy mission
by inspiring myself with the necessity of
more closely following it's precepts.
j. L. K.