The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-04-10

we persist in incurring the latter feeling it
behOoves us to bear the consequences un-
cOmplainingly.
1t is not merely ourselves that we injure
by going back to our old vices and criminal
actions, but we seriously harm all who
leave prison with the determination to re-
form, to gain an honorable name. regain
their lost home. friends. esteem, or die in
the attempt In their heroic efforts to do
better and in their bitter struggle to with
stand temptation. their progress forward
and upward is retarded by having examples
held up to them OF eX-cOnvicts who have to
all appearance been guileless and devoid of
baseness until good opportunity had
come for them to prove their ability and
strength to stand by their resolutions, but
who. instead of so doing, decamped for
parts unknown, and those who trusted them
and placed faith in their promises were the
losers 1t is Just and wrong in the eX-
treme for society to thus retard our progress
by insinuatng that we might do as our
predecessors But society is always on the
alert and is bent on not being hoodwinked
by seemingly repentant ex-cOnvicts. and we
must be prepared to meet such treatment
with patience and fortitude. and when
temptations are held out to test our strength
and determination we must exercise our
will power to the utmost to resist the bait.
If we do not we have played losing game
and skeptics will shout in triumph.
The sands of time run rapidly out, and
before we are aware of the fact, old age
has set it's ineffaceable mark on us, grey is
sprinkled among our locks. our eyes are
sunken and our features are furrowed. On
the eve of life. when the shadow of death
falls across our path, we pause to look back
upon our past so full of lost Oppor-
tunities, gone and lost forever, dotted here
and there by broken resolutions, we find
nothing but leaves" Created as we have
been with superior intellect and wisdom to
be tossed hither and thither on the wind as
faded withered leaves. fluttering without
aim or object. until swept into the gutter or
trampled under foot, when it was once in
our power to rise to the distinction of the
nOblest of Gods created. crowned with i'm
mortality and glory. How sad an ending.
How ineXpressbly sad.
1t is with deep regret that l leave many
of you behind. shut out from freedom and
all that makes life pleasant. When l en-
tered this prison l feared that a SOjourn
among the ''scum of the world" as society
has it, would be unpleasant and have grave
results; but am happy to say that my
fears were not realized and the prison gloom
has been dispelled at times with pleasant
incidents. l have learned that a goodly
number carry beneath the stripes kind and
atfectiOnate hearts; that there are many
who practically illustrate that ut is
more blessed to give than to receive"
Many kind actions have l witnessed, and
heard comforting words spoken to unhappy
beings by their more fortunate comrades.
Many kind deeds and encouraging words
have come to my share and they shall never
be forgotten. In the "reminiscences of my
prison life they shall shine forth as bright
sunbeams shooting through the gloom;
brighter and warmer, more life giving and
cheering because of their sincereity and
genuineness. and not as empty words
spoken by the lips only, prompted hopes of
by probable future reward and gain.
Hoping that you will think over these
humble and we'll meant words and at no
distant day become honored and useful
citizens. bid you all an affectionate fare
we'll. F. 0. L.