The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-04-16
Parting Words.

This may be my last effort in contributing
to the columns of THE MIRROR, but before
my name is entirely erased from the list of
contributors. must entreat my fellow prs-
oners one and all to be of good cheer. Let US
hope that there is better day coming for
all of us. We should not look back on the
dark and unalterable past. but forward,
and prepare ourselves for the inevitable
future; let us make up our minds to march
straightforward with determined will not
expecting our pathway to be strewed with
roses but be willing to share our part of
the trials of this life patiently and cheer
fully. Fortunately for all of us there is a
bright side to all of our trials in this life
Though our future may seem shrOuded in
darkness, and we may feel as though we were
doomed to sorrow and despair. vet let us
hope. We may often feel as if the whole
world was Obstructing us. setting itself
against us. but we will find that to mean
that the world is travelling in an opposite
way. rushing on in its own course. but to-
wards US there is no specific ill will. re-
gret to say that there are many of our fel-
| low beings who give up at the first stroke
of misfortune and become discouraged, sit
down. as it were, in careless stupidity and
never look for brighter prospects; conse-
| Quently, their minds are filled with false
| imaginati0ns. In other words, they are
continually borrowing trouble. They feel
as though everything and everybody was
against them, or, at least, they seemingly
strive to entertain an imagination of that
kind. They never cherish the least hopes
OF brighter prospects, but seem cOntented to
become the victims of despair. Let us not
condemn ourselves before others condemn
| as; let US brace up and make use of our best
| metal and we will find friends if we deserve
| them-in fact we will meet the degree of
success in every respect which we have on
the whole deserved.
| We should bear in mind that there is
great responsibility resting upon us. The
moment we step from behind the prison
walls our own conscience points out to us
two great highways, the one leading to vir-
tue, honesty and happiness, the other to
crime, misery and disgrace. Young man.
which will you choose? Make your choice
now while you have time to consider we'll
the final result. Many of us made our
choice years ago. likely in a hasty moment,
and what is the result? What was our
choice? 1t needs no eXplanation-Our con-
dition to. day tells to the world what course
we preferred. Now let us prove to the
| world by cur future actions that we are not
yet void of all manhood and self respect.
MY dear fellow prisoners. in your future
career 1 sincerely entreat you to avoid
whisky and gambling. Likely this request
would have the desired effect if it was given
to you as it was to me as the last parting
words of christian mother. Young man,
let US compare our surroundings to day with
the surroundings of our childhood. when
our mother used to take us in her arms and
point out for us in her own mind some high
and respectable position in life. Have we
treated her right? Have we made any ef
fort to attain that position which she strove
so hard to prepare us for? Certainly not;
then let us change our course and try to
make men of ourselves, and not substantiate
Thomas Carlyle's statement that we are as
so many fortunate Orang- Outangs. Let us
strive to make our lives useful and pleas
ure to others as we'll as to ourselves, then
we need not fear the time when all men
must give an account of the manner in
which they have discharged their duty here
on earth. G. w. r.
Bismarck Prison, N. Oak.