The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-05-29

looks IOr sucker among gfe6nnOrnS Dul
rather among those who think they are
''Onto'' all the latest moves. 1t would seem
that this rule is also applicable in other
matters. Those who have always lived in
large city feel morally certain that THEY
cannot be ''done up'' in any money making
game, still they usually prove the easiest
prey for the ''rOper- in'' and siren; they live
in the blissful notion that they are ''worldly'
men and smile knowingly when they hear
of farmer being buncOed, and all the time
they are greater prey than the farmer, the
difference being that the farmer is robbed
of a considerable sum one time, and they
are being robbed of 'inconsiderable" sums
all the time. If these worldly" men
would but figure up their weekly squander-
ings it would be seen that they are buncoed
out of handsome sum every year.
Large cities are criminal lighthouses; in
them the criminal leach blooms perpetually,
and must of necessity continue to do so as
long as this eternal strife for fabulous
wealth continues. 1t must in the natural
course of events be so. The only visible
remedy at present seems to be to pass a law
requiring men to step down and out from
active business when they have accumu-
lated an independent fortune. And yet il
is doubtful whether this remedy would
to step into the shoes of the lowest grade
(fakirs, etc. even if by this means the line
of promotion was so arranged as to leave an
opening for those pursuing shady bus
mess to join the legitimate grade.
The remedy [ would offer is, that men,
to avoid being crooked" when they come
to the city. should be more self-reliant-de-
pend more on their own sense and good
judgment.
In speaking of the different temptations
in large city l did not go into details for
the reason that these details if fully dealt
with would not look very we'll in print.
But those who have had experience in the
world know the many enticing temptations
that are held out to men who have little
money on hand; and these men will agree
with me when l say that the best remedy
is the individual use of our own better
judgment. How many times have large
number of us solemnly affirmed never to
spend our money again on drink? We
made the affirmation when sober and
''brOke;" but just as soon as more money
was earned it was the same old story.
All will admit that wine. women and
cards are very attractive: but the wine and
cards, at least, will eventually get the bet
ter of those who fool around them.
Whisky is the greatest leveller known to
the world. The monuments" of it's work
may be seen upon our streets any day. Men
who formerly held good positions are seen
mingling with the lowest drunkards around
the 1.-TWO fOr-five" saloons watching like a
thirsty dog for some one to call them up to
drink; their clothes are faded and frayed
and their blOated faces and fishy eyes predi-
cate possibly dropsy.
have discovered, through actual expert.
ence. that a man must curb his appettes
and frail propensities if he ever intends to
make anything of himself-in fact he must
punish himself. 1t is useless to make good
resolutions if we do not muster up energy
and gumption enough to keep them. One
cannot be neutral in these'days if he wishes
to succeed-half man. half mouse business
will not go, you have got to have certain
well grounded principles in your character
and must live up to those principles. A
drinking man cannot hold position of any
kind if his tippling habits become known
to his employer-and those followers OF
Bacchus who are suffered, through charity,
to hold their positions are seldom subjects
for promotion.
Large cities always will be the bane OF
those who cannot concentrate their will
power and it follows as natural sequence
that those who desire to succeed in life can
not pamper their abnormal appetites-a1
least, this has been the experience of an
EX-CONVICT.