The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-14
Start Right.

Start Right.
There are men leaving this institution at
frequent intervals who seem to think they
owe it as duty to themselves to celebrate
their release from bondage by giving them
selves up to the indulgence of such pleasures
as their individual taste may suggest for
few days previous to beginning the more Sc
rious business of life. Some find pleasure
in the flowing bowl. and not being able to
correctly estimate their capacity for pleas
ure they frequently imbibe more than they
can conveniently carry. Then. some zeal
Gus guardian of the public peace will make
his appearance and the eX convict is ordered
| to leave the city within stipulated number
of hours or suffer the dire consequences
which refusal to obey the mandates of the
powers that be will inevitably bring upon
him. 1t is needless to say that if the eX-
prisoner is possessed of average sense he
will not demur at this decree, but will
| wisely conclude that minutes" instead Of
''hOurs" is amply sufficient time in which
to take his departure.
Why will men rush into dissipation the
very day they are freed from restraint and
recklessly squander money which they could
make such good use of in beginning anew
the battle of life? Is it because they are
possessed of naturally depraved natures, or
is it not, in many cases, through thought
lessness and want of foresight? am inclined
| to believe it is the latter.
Over year ago. while enjoying the lib
critics of Independence Day, a cOmrade
whose term of service would soon expire
approached me for the purpose of having
friendly, farewell talk. During the con-
versatiOn that followed asked him if he
had learned anything by his experience here
that would prove beneficial to him in after
life. "Yes," said he, Il have learned a
valuable lesson that shall never forget,
for now see the danger of strong drink to
one of my temperament, and 1 am deter
mined never to touch liquor again. Should
l ever be tempted to break this resolve l
will think of some of my comrades here
who are serving long sentences, brought
upon themselves through drink, and with
this thought, and the thought of my own
bitter experience. l know l can successfully
resist all temptation" Further conversation
showed his plans to be about as follows: He
would take the first train leaving here for
the city Of. and after purchasing a few
additional articles of wearing apparel he
would 60 to firSt-claSs restaurant and as
tonish the walters with the loneliness of his
order. After finishing his sumptuOus repast
he would saunter around the city-carefully
avoiding salOOns-until evening. when he
would go to the theater. The next day he
would seek for employment, taking the
first situation offered that would afford him
the means of an honest livelihood.
This man was honest in his intentions of
leading a life of honesty and sobriety, but by
sumptuous meals at high-tOned restaurants
and the dazzling splendOrs of spectacular
play at the theater is not the best way of
beginning life of humble, honest toll, and
it is no wonder this man soon found himself
penniless in large city, without friend
to apply to for assistance.
Another cOmrade with whom l worked
side by side for several years. was released
about the same time as the one mentioned
above. He had different views of life. He
did not expect his journey on life's paths
way to be strewn with flowers, but realized
that life was stern reality. He looked
forward to months or years of hard, self
denying toll, and his only fear was lest he
be kept idle through want of employment.
He found work and has kept steadily at it
since his release, and there can be no doubt
but he has had more of life's happiness than
if he had sought it in sensual pleasures; and
to-day he is probably more respected in the
community in which he lives than many
who never served a term in the penitentiary,
and if he is not, it is because honesty. So
briefly and industry count for nothing in this
world. OCCASIONAL CONTRIBUTOR.
Open To All Corners.
Tn Ic;v