The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-04-02
A Prisoners Fancy.

Lights out; and there is nothing to distract
your thoughts but the misty shadow of the
nightwatch as silently he passes your
grated door. 1t is then that our thoughts
can journey back over the past and build up
the future. It is then that the prisoner
gives rein to fancy. and the mind, casts off
the material body and Wanders afar in the
realms of space. Perhaps the prisoner
dreams of other scenes, of home, of friends,
of childhood dear; of present woes or fut-
ure bliss. In sleep we are all alike. What
ever be the condition of our material body;
whether resting in mansion or hut, under
the bright blue vault OF the heavens or un-
der the gloomy roof of a prison, still our
thoughts and spirits rise above all the NOR
tai vicissitudes of life.
Musing thus, my eyes grew dim and grad.
ually lost sight of surrounding objects.
Presently new scenes and strange forms
rose before me in a strange land. l was
lost In vain looked for old friends or
familiar faces. Restless. wandered on,
speaking to none. spoken to by none. Mys-
terry and wonder filled my brain. paused
suddenly as waves of 8Olian music filled my
ears. A voice reached me, saying, Spirit
whence cOmest thou? and whom seekest
thou in this realm of past mOrtals?" 20.
stranger" replied, Il know not where
am nor whom seek. l am in strange
land among strange people, and know
not how l came here. For many weary
years l dwelt in prison, when all at once 1
found myself in this place where all is
strange to me- l weuld that could behold
familiar scenes again. for truly 1 do not be-
long here" 'Ah. thou wOuldSt, RETURN" the
voice replied, ''but none who enter here
take on their mortal forms again. Know
thou that years have flown since thine eyes
beheld the nlghtwatch slowly passing thy
prison door; know thou that having passed
in evolution from the material to the spirit
ual form. thou mayest visit the earth at
will. Come, where wOuldst thou journey.
what shall show unto thee? Speak" 20.
spirit" replied, II would return that
might know how fares the companions of
my Imprisonment. l would speak cheer
ing word or lend helping hand to them on
their cheerless way" "Thou knowest not
what thou sayest. They are dead and the
prison is no more. But come, look yOnder;
seest thou that town? There wilt thou find
those who have broken the laws of men. -
And behold. 1 was in busy town where
all was life and activity. Following my guide
I entered large manufactOry where arti-
cles of utility of various kinds were being
made. The wOrkmen were all intent upon
their labors. At one end of the establish
ment was large Office through which all
passed before leaving the factory. 1t was
payday with them, and on going to their
dinner each received his wages at the door
of the office and separating it in two por.
tions, deposited half on either side of the
office as they passed out. Across the way
was a building where all sat down to dine
and to chat with one another. Turning to
my guide l said: "Show me the prison that
1 may see those poor fellows whom [ left
with dull, listless eyes and sullen faces. D
20 Brother" my companion replied,
"what thou seest here is of surity q
prison, yet not prison. for prisons are nc
more-they are now called refOrmatortes.
'Explain to me this change so humane,
and just" '''Tis SIMPLE" replied the
guide. ''Those who enter here are deprived
of liberty alone. They have fault anC
here they learn to see that fault and correct
it. They are not degraded or despised fol
that fault. but are treated with cOnsidera
ton. They toll. and receive Just cOmpensa