The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-01

plish in this residence; not much, he goes to
work for one cent per hour; when his labor
is ended he retires to his cell, pOnderS over
his sins, wonders as to whether he will get
public funeral. and sadly comes to the
conclusion he will not if he continues to
live in the style of his previous career.
1t was only the other day few of us
were grouped together talking over our in
generation when friend of mine smote
himself Smite on the chest (chest by way
of illuSIratiOn), and declared, II am better
man now than when came here" l limited
that this might be attributed to the improve
ment in the culinary department.; but no,
each man said both mentally and physically
he was improved.
l noticed one or two of your contributors
have given fair specimen of the ups and
downs of this mortal life, perhaps a third
may not be out of place. Only few short
years ago l arrived in New York city from
the "ould sod" having in my possession
bank drafts the value of which was con-
siderable. At the time l had no notion as
to how l was about to invest my capital,
but at the Hoffman House l met with a
gentleman who stated that there were lot
of my countrymen in Southern who
were farming and were having good time
of it. At that moment l thought no more
on the subject. After visiting the large
cities in the east went to Montreal to see
some relations and in that city. at the Wind
sor Hotel, L fell in with another man who
confirmed the New Workers. statement.
This settled the matter and after having
received letters of introduction, l started
out for Toronto and CoIlingwood. made a
glorious trip up the lakes to Duluth and
finally arrived in Southern
Of T hoI i,,fr l,o
ton to did seem to be having glorious
time. His men were all working. but he
we'll he was seated ON the piazza of his
house smoking cigarettes. drinking mint
julep and playing negro melodies on the
banjo, at which. by the way he was an
adept. This sort of life at that time. to
my mind was the acme of bliss and [ was
soon settled down in that hOspitable neigh
bOrhOOd.
Everything for a time was lovely, but
farming and fox hunting did not asSimilate
L knew more about foX-hunting than about
farming. Things went from bad to worse.
and finally came to the conclusion that
agricultural pursuits were not my strong
point and that under the existing circum-
stances had better tackle something did
understand. So. forthwith packed up my
hat-bOx and gun -case-my baggage was
thousand miles from here.
Now comes the sequel to the above. In
this latter city. without friends or letters to
refer to. but by my own efforts alone
ultimately succeeded in obtaining a good,
remunerative position. and would have held
it till this day had not circumstances over
which l had no control compelled me
to relnquish it. l then got a job here;
but we will let that pass. as the soldier said
when he saw the approaching bullet and
took two PAGES to the left.
Now it occurs to me that if a man has
accomplished an object once. he can surely
do so again. At the present time Il am
waiting, only waiting'' till the majesty of
the law is satisfied, when l will start for
pastures new and endeavOr to again make
good name for myself; and in doing so
believe that faith in the ultimate success,
for the future is half the battle-if any
minion of the law thinks it worth his while
to dodge my footsteps l will HE me to the
land of the ChimchumchOOs where police
men and detectives are considered delicacy
and are served up "a la CARTE"
1t is great mistake for people to be
everlaStingly throwing impOSSibilitieS and
impedimentS in the path of our future ca
reer. Such course only tends to discOur-
age one in his efforts. l believe myself to
be in perfect order when l state there is
not single man in this institution who
does not know right from wrong. and it
would be more charitable and humane to
try and enlighten him into the ways of
prosperity than to be forever dinnng and
drumming into his ears the possibilities and
probabilities of gloomy failure in his
forthcoming hard trials.
UNDER Two FLAGS"
Mans principle wealth as he starts in the