davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-15

The editor of the LambertOn Leader pays
our little journal this high compliment:
'"There is no exchange coming to our table
that we read with more interest and profit
than THE PRISON MIRROR, edited and pub
lished by the inmates of the Saltwater
penitentiary. geographically THE MIR
ROR is neat and correct; it's columns are
erS and excellent selected articles. We
like The PRISON MIRROR, and rank it
with Minnesota's brightest and best"
Allow us to acknowledge right here that
the newspapers of Minnesota have, by ex-
pressions like the foregoing, contributed
much toward making what they see praise
worthy in THE PRISON MIRROR.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-15

The editor OF paper bearing the title,
"Lucifer," published at Valley Falls, Kan
sas, has donned the stripes in the peniten-
tiary at Lansing of that state. We have
long been afraid that Brother Harman'S
Outspoken style would bring him to grief,
and now it has with a big G. Five years
and $500 for sending matter through the
United States mails which the old foges
who administer the laws in the U. S. courts
are pleased to look upon as obscene. Be a
good boy, brother, and try to make your
good time.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-15

A prisoner in the Albany, n. Y, peni-
Tertiary, whose time expired the other day,
has asked permission to remain another
year in order that he may care for the flow
ers he has planted in the prison.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-15

THE MIRROR congratulates its good
friend Mai. T. M. Newson. not on the ex-
cellent showing he made at the poles, but
upon his miraculous escape from the dam
gerOus position of alderman.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-15

1t has been fully two months since we
have heard of a man getting drunk on the
day of his release from this institution. Can
it be possible that the boys are learning
wisdom from the disastrous experience Of
those who have gone before?
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-15

The scarcity of original matter in this is
sue is owing to the laziness of the ed
itor and to the hardness of the contributors.
A number of good articles were received,
but too late for this ISSUE
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-15

reasoning man that human nature is eter-
nally rebelious and resentful. We agree
with the editor that prison should be
made place of punishment for criminals.
but the better part of the world will say
with us that prison should be made a
place of reformation, not degradation.
There is one essential point that the editor
of the Picayune, as do all persons holding
similar views, seems to overlook. and that is,
a prison cannot be conducted according to
his idea except by men of degraded natures
principles could be induced to conduct a
prison on the basis of 'shame. modification,
hardship and physical PAM to the inmates
Show us man that would do that and we
will show you man capable of committing
crime, man that you would instinctlvely
abhor. Neither do we disagree with him
when he says that the indiscriminate use of
the pardOning power is an abuse; but we do
say that there are reasons why it should be
used more frequ emily by the governor
of Louisiana than it ever has been.
There is good time law on the statute
books of that state which has been rendered
imperative for other reasons than justice or
uncOnsttutionality. So. twenty years.
sentence means that the convict will have
to stay in prison twenty years to day, if
not sooner relieved by DEATH which he is
in ninety five cases out of hundred. The
frightful rate of mortality in the convict
camps is well known. Ten years is about
it is taken into consideration for what COM
paratively light Offenses long sentences are
imposed, it will be seen that many are in
reality condemned to life servitude contrary
to the spirit of the law. 1t surely cannot
be that the editor of so great journal does
not feel that his state is already scandal
lied by the tales OF horror that come every
few days from the convict camps of the
state. What kind of a man can he be that
he does not make an appeal for the better
management of the penal system of his
commonwealth? But no, he prefers to
foster and encourage state of affairs of
which George W. Cable. citizen of Louis
lana, was moved to write, that Every
mention of these camps is followed by the
excavations of a scandalized community.
whose ear is every now and then shocked
afresh with some new whisper of their
frghtful barbarities. 1t is not for the pres
ent writer to assert, that every other com
munity where the leasing of cOnvicts pre-
walls is moved to indignation by the same
sense of outrage and disgrace; yet it GER
tainly would be but a charitable aSSump-
ton to believe that the day is not remote
when, in every such region, the sentiment
of the people will write, over the gates of
the convict stOckades and over the doors of
the lessees' sumptuOus homes one word:
Aceldama-the field of blood"
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-15

The first grade men at the St. Cloud
refOrmatory dine by themselves and are al
lowed to converse during the noon hour.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
A MAINE LAZY SOCIETY,
Unique Defense of Member Put on Trial
for Riding In a Hurry,

Unique Defense of a Member Put on Trial
for Riding In a Hurry.
Lewiston Journal.1
Jay Hill was small, old-time village in
the town of Jay, Franklin county. The
village consisted of tavern, a store and a
few dwelling houses. The store was full of
sill kinds of goods, large part of which con-
sisted OF New England rum and other
liquors. There we're many loafers in those
days who made their headquarters about the
tavern and store watching for chance for
something to take.
Various devices were resorted to for the
purpose of "raising the wind" and getting
the drinks. Among other things "Lazy
Society" was formed with bylaws, rules
and regulations, the violation of which
would cause the offender to be mulcted in a
certain quantity of the ardent, or treat of
the company as the President of the club
should determine. One of the rules of the
society was that no person should ever run
or ride fast or appear to lie hurry, under a
severe penalty.
Old DR.. Small was an active and worthy
member. One day he had call to visit q
patient in hurry. He saddled and bridled
his horse, jumped on and left the village at
2'4o gait or less. The company around
the store was very dry, and here was a
chance for the drinks. The doctors return
was sharply looked alter. When he arrived
and became settled in his Office he was
waited upon with a summons to appear be-
fore the tribunal. The court was convened,
the members were anxious for the verdict,
but more anxious for the penalty, and there
seemed to be no palliating circumstances.
The doctor was asked if he had anything
to say why sentence should not be passed.
He replied that the only thing he had to
say in justification was that he had call to
visit patient little out of the village,
that he got on to his horse, and the beast
Immediately started into dead run, and he
was so con ounded lazy that he did not hold
him in. The verdict was for the dcctorl
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

examination of the subject would prove, no
doubt, that the most efficient soldiers were
we'll dressed. Unquestionably the best citi-
zens are we'll housed.
The small design that illustrates this ar
ticle is considered something better than
commonplace. 1t has grace ul lines and
proportions, and there is total absence of
tswdry effects like those produced by saved
work ornamentation. It has no freplaces,
mantels, sliding doors or other expensive
features, yet the interior is comfortable and
attractive.
General dimensions-width, % feet s
inches; depth, "a feet. Heights of stories
First story, 8 feet inches; second story, s
feet
Exterior NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. stone;
first story, gables, veranda rails and roof,
shingles.
Interior finish: Walls and ceilings fin
ished with two coats of brown plaster, in
tended ior papering. Spruce floors. White
pine, trim and stairs, grain filled and fin
ished with hard oil. The space under the
stairway is enclosed with grooved and bead
ed pine, forming hall closet.
Colors: All shingles, including roof,
stained silver. All trim, veranda posts and
risers, painted white. Sashes, outer doors
and lattice work, painted dark green. Yer
anda, floor and ceiling, oiled. The upper
half OF front door glazed with small lights.
Accommodations the rooms and their
sizes are shown by the floor plans. Closets
should be built in the storerooms near the
doors, so as to be accessible from the bed
rooms. The ample storage rooms will
hold trunks, "heirlooms," worn-out
furniture, and all the gimcracks
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

her pair Of chickens, from lob lot" at
cost, for which she thanked him, but said
she feared they might be from the same
batch of "precarious" eggs he had sold her,
and declined. Every one who came brought
something to add to the feast, putting
'Manda to her wits end to know what to do
with it.
When they had all arrived and gathered
together, Mrs. Partington's spectacles
beamed upon them like stars in the light of
the bright November morning.
81 am glad to see you all" said she, "and
it is ulument to my spirits to have you
under this vulnerable roof, SO impregnable
with Joyous fatalities"
She could have said no more to assure
welcome; everybod felt at home in nm in
slant, and such q clatter of noisy tongues as
was never heard, Kept up till dinner was an
nounced. And such dinnerl The oldest
inhabitant of three towns, who was there,
affirmed there had been none such in those
parts for 80 years. Two long tables fairly
groaned under the weight, and, after grace
the exordium and Amen came in together at
the head of the table, all fell to. and such
clatter of knives and forks occurred, mingled
with pleasant voices, as seemed to make the
beams of the old house hilarious Mrs
Partington presided over the scene with her
characteristic benignity.
."Oh, if Isaac were here" said she tear
fully.
1t was pensive thought that passed the
disc of mental vision, dimming her spec
tacles, like the steam from the coffee, but
abiding in affectionate remembrance, and
the scene before her was for the moment for
gotten.
The party sat late in joyous festivity, and
the afternoon passed into evening, with an
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONS.


Much Could be Done for American Art By
National Encouragement.
Our schools are only preparatory to some
foreign ateller. In the French schools it is
very common to see working with the rest,
men who have taken medals at the Salon.
and still more common, men who have
worked six, seven and eight years. The
standard of such schools must necessarily
be high, and such elements are totally lack
ing in American institutions. Yet con-
slider the opportunities for acquiring tech
meal knowledge in the New York schools
fully equal to those of the average Partisan
atelier, as far as instruction goes.
There is so-called school of American
painting, but one which think will furnish
no elements toward making future national
art-the outcome of the various schools
which We have absorbed and which it is to
hoped will some day simmer down to some
thing which we may call our own. A Tree
entry OF art would eventually have the effect
OF furnishing our museums and bringing US
more face to face with good work.
The most important incentive to the ad-
vancement oil art, in my mind, is that given
by the Government OF a country in the
shape OF commissions for decorations,
statues, etc. 1t is impossible to calculate
the good that has been done for art by the
French Government in its relation with
artists. Such patronage is almost the sole
encouragement nowadays to the production
OF great mural decorations, and it is to be
regretted that it does not exist here.
H. SIDDoNS MowBRAY.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
TENDS TO MANNERiSu.
Work In Foreign Studios Often Leaves On
Without Originality.

work In Foreign Studios Often Leaves One
Without Originality.
The free circulation of foreign art BY past
and present masters that would be likely to
how westward by the free admission in con-
nection with the good schools we already
have, would be in itself an art education,
lear that work in foreign studios fire.
quently tends to mauuerism rather than to
originality, the student too often forgetting
that the reason of excellence in all art is
less the requirement of the methods and
processes OF masters or schools than the
study OF nature ITSELF Study is but the
education OF an inherent power, and some
OF our embryonic painters seem to forget
that the essence of art is born in a man, not
manufactured. The question of tempera-
ment largely involves the question of excel
lence.
Is there an American school of art i?
Doubtful; often strong individuality, but
not enough to make school, L think the
Government has it in its power to help
American art, not only by free admission,
out among other things by finding yearly
sum to purchase and encourage serious and
ambitious work, thus enabling many able
artists to produce noble efforts who are now
OF necessity employed the greater part of
their time on mere ''pot boilers" We have
now arrived at time when our Govern
ment can safely afford to do what other
countries haye done, and so possibly found
an American school"
HARRY FENN.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

as she watched the tricks of Ike among the
girls, some of whom knew him, but it made
little odds whether they did or not, his
whiskers winning him universal favor.
These were source of great wonder to Mrs.
Partington, who wondered "where under
the canister of heaven" he could have got
them.
The sports did not end till the candles
burnt down to the sockets. and some had to
be renewed. but the spirits OF the partici-
pants seemed to burn brighter at the last, and
all gathered about Mrs. Partingtor to bid her
goodnight and goodmorning, giving her
three cheers IS they trotted away into the
darkness.
"Now, dear" said Mrs. Partington to Ike,
"you must go to bed, and in the morning
tell me all about your adventurous discrep-
ancies, and where you caught your whis-
kers, and if there is any danger of their
striking in"
Ike blessed her good night, leaving her
heart in state of thankfulness far greater
than she could have anticipated.
1.-The happiness of an OCCASION" said Mrs.
upon how people enjoy themselves, and GER
everyone was apparently so perforated with
delinquency.
Ike remained but few days at the old
homestead, and then bidding Mrs. Parting
ton farewell, he walked away to the Nip
and Tuck Railway station. He turned at the
last point of observation and saw the dame
waving white cambria benediction after
him, which he returned, and then paid at
tention to dog who was smelling him to
see if he was good to eat.
B. P. SHILLABER.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
A SPECIFIC DUTY ON ART.
The Present One Is stupid and Doesn't Pro.
feet Where II Should.

feet Where It Should.
A very good foundation can be laid in
this country now and a student may, if he
studies with a trained artist here, go almost
as far in technical work-drawing and paint
ing-as the average American student
abroad. AS for the higher style of work,
composition. etc., he can learn it much bet
ter abroad and he will also have the great
advantage of becoming acquainted with tine
works of the old masters. Many of our
artists who study in foreign ateliers lose their
individuality and become mere imitators OF
their European masters. American artists
are especially distinguished in landscape.
Among figure painters who are American In
their treatment and choice OF subjects are
Winslow, Homer, Hovenden, E. l.. Henry,
J. G. Brown, T. S. Church and others.
1t would be an advantage to American
artists to have the best foreign works Tree,
but many such works are bought merely Tor
the name. Millet's "Angelus," for in
stance, does not interfere in the least with
the pictures here, and the artists are glad to
have such works come. The pictures that
do interfere with the younger American ar
bad-pictures imported by the dealers,
bought ior 100 francs on the other side and
sold here for S1OO. The dealer can buy his
pictures abroad and sell at large profit
here. He can advertise like corn doctor
or q shoe man and push his wares. The etl-
quette of art is almost as severe as that Of
doctors OF medicine, and so an artist cannot
reach the public in the same way dealer
can. The prestige of foreign work as for
eign has much to do with it. 'The Dukes
cousin is still the Dukes cousin, although
he may not amount to much"
1 think that the stupid duty of the pres
ent time should be taken of, and if any be
imposed let it be specific duty on all pic
lures painted later than 1850.
I would suggest that instruction by COM
petent persons be given in all our schools
and colleges in the shape OF lectures on the
history of art, ILLUSTRATED by photographs
and other reproductions of the best pictures
of the different schools. Drawing should
be taught in our schools, not as an accom-
plishment but as a training for eye and
hand.
A large collection of Braun's autotypes of
tine old masters, for museums, schools, etc.,
framed and hung, would do more to educate
the people than many modern pictures. We
cen have but few OF the old masters here
and Braun's autotypes take the place in re-
gard to them that casts do to sculptures
Educate the mass OF the people and we will
not have any more Of the horrible abortions
that disfgure our squares and the Central
Park. The establishment by some rich man
OF chair of aesthetics at the National
Academy of Design would be of very great
service. See what Taine has done for art in
France. We must not be in too much of
hurry, we are in the same Stage in relation
to foreign art that Rome was to Greece, that
French art of the time of Francis I. was to
Italian art, that English art was to the
Italian and the Flemish before tine time of
Hogarth and Reynolds.
PERCIyAL DE LUCE.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
CALLING THE EXTRAS.
Anxiety With Which the Newspapers Were
Watched During the War.

Anxiety With Which the Newspapers Were
Watched During the War.
New York Evening SUM-
Two men, one young and the other past
middle life, stood at the entrance to the Fifth
Avenue Hotel on Saturday evening as the
newsboys were calling the extras.
cit can't mean much to you," said the
elder turning to the young man, ''tbis cali
ing an extra, but in all the years since the
war never heard a boy on the street call 'ex-
ira. without queer jump of the heart, that
is common, fancy, to many another old tel-
low like myself. An extra meant as much
to us then-a great battle-a defeat, perhaps,
with thousands of slain and sorrow in
thousands of homes-or sweeping victory
that helped make the sorrow little easier
10 bear-the latest news from the front
something, at any rate, for which the nation
stood still and waited.
"With the first call of an Extra from the
street, busy men rushed hatless and coat
less out Office and shop and store down to
catch the first whisper of the news. Drivers
stopped their teams in the streets, even the
horsecars stood still until their passengers
could hear the news. Business was at a COM
plete standstill while the news of the extra
was passed along"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
A LAND Of GOLD.
The UnexpIored Basin of Northern flashing.
Ton From Which No Water Flows.

The Uuexpiored Basin OF Northern washing.
ton From Which No Water Flows.
st. Louis Globe-Democrat.1
A good deal of interest is just now being
manifested in the formation of an exploring
expedition which is shortly to visit the un-
known territory in the north of the newly
formed State of Washington, the Businesses
of which have never yet been penetrated by
any civilized explorer. The lay of the land
justifies the belief that ricn and extensive
gold ledges and placers will be found on it.
The shape OF the country Is that of an i'm
mense basin, whose outer edges are formed
by the towering crags and peaks of this iso-
lated range.
Every stream flowing down the interior
sides of the range, which is almost circular,
must carry down to the plains and valleys
from the mountain lodges large deposits of
the precious metals. Presumably, these
streams meet in a common point, the lowest
in the basin, and there, no doubt, form an
immense lake, which must communicate
with the ocean by a subterranean outlet.
This belief is based upon the fact that from
the basin there flows no stream Of water,
either large or small, as must be the case
were there no such outlet to prevent its over
flow
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16

pies, squash pies, pumpkin pies, lemon pies,
cocoanut pies, cream pies, custard pies,
Washington pies-grand tribute to the
Father of his Country-besides turnovers,
tarts and doughnuts, enough to meet the de-
mands of Gargantua himself we're he in
cluded among the ted guests. When
completed Mrs. Partington contemplated
the pile.
"They will keep" said she, ''if any are
left over, and be amenable to ourselves COL
laterallv."
She wiped her brow on her checked apron
and sat reviewing her work.
81 declare, 'Manda," said she. "I feel
that am not invaluable, and but for nv
inveterate constitution I never should have
been available to do it. But it may be the
last, 'Manda in which shall precipitate. !"
"Ob, don't say so," said Amanda, "you
will enjoy, dare say many more"
''No, dear" replied Mrs. Parti ngton.
although 1 know I am not an ortogon,
still feel that the time am to stay here
will depend upon how long 1 will remain,
and we can't say what may never come to
pass"
She and 'Manda then proceeded to
decorate the rooms which soon reveed in
green glory. 81 declare it does look charm
ingly lugubrious," said Mr.. Partington,
surveying their work.
The sun never shone clearer and brighter
than on the morning of the expected day.
as if he were interested in the affairs,
though he couldn't stop just then to say
anything about it, and Mrs. Partington
with a new cap, and an extra touch of
dress, waited to receive her guests. And
everybody came, that was an assured thing.
and the handshaking she had to encounter
as she was no great shaker for such re-
ception-quite broke her down after few
rounds, and she had to request relative to
shake for her during the rest of it.
There had never been so many vehicles
brought together in one place since camp
meeting or great training day, and every
horse was provided with in extra measure Of
grain to keep Thanksgiving on, besides
being allowed the freedom of the grounds.
The ne1ghbors. though not invited, had
early taken an interest in the event, and
two large turkeys and four pairs of chickens
had been sent in from synonymous
soprces," as Mrs. Partington told
some one. and even Elder
Jones came over from his store to offer