The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-12-04
cOrrigible criminal.

singular costume of sober gray or Zebra
like stripes they are scarcely dstinguishable
the one from the other; but, after they have
shaken themselves down into their respect
i've places. their distinctive characteristics
soon display themselves. and the members
of our unique human menagerie are easily
classified.
Now let us endeavOr to portray few
types of character which are to be found
everywhere-and which have few repre-
sentatives in every penal institution. from
the Atlantic shore line to the Pacific 81, pes
The first and most numerous class among
our bOarders are individuals of the "Oliver
Twist" the Charley Bates or "Giles the
PlOughbOy" breed-rOugh, uncOuch. mis-
chievOuS, but not vicious, on the one hand,
or simple, timid. ignorant, and without
back BONE on the other hand but, for all
that. they have vein of honesty of pur-
pose and good intention running through
their mental organism; they are genial.
good natured. and easily access BILE to ill
structiOn. reason, example and discipline.
Many of them. it is true, for want of better
education and surroundings. are deficient in
what is called ''hOrss sense" and practical
experiences; they may make mistakes and
occasionally cOnfOund rOwdyism and practi-
cal joking with fun and frOlc-but little
judiciOus tirmneSS and wise counsel will
speedily set matters straight, and give US
hope for their regeneration.
Another class. deserving our most earn
est Sympathies and friendly aid. are those
who. by one false step. have been hurled
from their happy homes, high social posi-
ton, and their cheering prospects of future
advancement, and find themselves sur
rounded by companions and associations so
revolving to every element of their nature
that the agOnies Of their expatriatiOn are in
creased thousand fOld-sO much so, that
even death would be preferable to the
mental and bodily torture which these sur.
rOundings entail. These men. in their past,
have signalized themselves by their energy.
pluck. common sense. practical knowledge,
aud indOmi table perseverance. The calam-
ity which has brought them here has
plunged them for the time into gulf of de-
spOndency, and possibly transient frenzy
but they have not lost their manhood-they
have not hidden farewell to hope. A little
encouragement, little well directed SYM
pathy. little judIcious. unostentatiOus
demonstration of sincere friendship will
soon rouse them to their wonted energy and
kindle the fame of hope in their hearts
demonstrating to their fellow prisoners
most emphatically that they have the stuff
in them of which heroes are made-that
able specimens of humanity-an honor to
their country and blessing to those assOci-
ated with them-whOse names and deeds
will yet gild the historic page, and whose
memories and acts will be preserved for
ages to come, as a Sweet-Smeling mOrsel
and honorable record to which their sur
vivOrs may point with pride.
Let us, however, turn for moment to
few peculiar specimens. not unfrequently
met with. The first to come under our no.
tice are that numerous but somewhat varied
class-The Chronic Grumbler. He is al
ways growlng-always on the snarl. His
food is never right; his work is unsuitable;
he takes exception to everything said or
done by his fellow prisoners in workshop or
in the prison; he is detested by the officers
as ''stOol-pigeOn" and constant fault
finder; and he is feared and hated by his
mates for his meanness and treachery:
there Is no knowing what character he may
assume to accomplish his purposes; ANY
means to an end. !" is his invariable motto;
he is notorious hypocrite-one of the
''Uriah Heep." "Stiggins'' or "Pecksniff"
schools, and revels in the fact that he can
always find dupes enough to ''pull the
chestnuts out of the fire" for him.. He is at
the bottom of all the plots and conspiracies
for disturbance in the prison, but never ap-
pears ON the surface himself-in a word, he
is hideOus caIicature of humanity. Like
Esau, his hand is against every man: and,
as natural consequence, though hated and
despised, he is frequently followed through
fear.
Another select assortment (more product
i've of laughter than anything else) is the
prison Dude" He rejoices in skin tight
pants (if he can get them). luxuriates in
gorgeous neck ties and other ornaments of
the toilet ION the quiet, cultivates mus
tache and head of hair that ''is too sweet
for anything;" and affects lisp and drawl-
ing tone of voice peculiar to the wilde"
tribe, of which he is so choice specimen.
In appearance and manners he is somewhat