The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-02-19

ways strive to be what he wishes to appear
But. alas, such is not the case with great
many who claim to possess good characters.
The majority of young men in starting out
in life are too easily suited; they take the
shoe that fits the easiest.
OF what benefit is it to us to take the
cart if we leave the wheels? You accuse a
young man of having no character. and the
first thing he will say is. What did you
ever know me to steal?" He thinks the
word honesty surrounds the whole char
acter; yet if you have any dealing with him,
and he sees any chance to make dollar
out of you without giving you value re-
ceived, he will jump at the chance. The
third man walks up and accuses him of it,
he will deny the truth, and stick to it that
he is not guilty of any such thing. He did
not only take that which rightly belonged
to his fellow man, but he denied doing it.
which was falsehood. Do you call that a
good character? Certainly not; but such
characters are very numerous.
But man may do as he likes if he can
avoid the penitentary-hi character is all
rlght-but as soon as he is sent to prison he
has lost his character. Nevertheless. l say
no; he is just as good as thousands of people
who never saw prison. but he did not have
sense enough to keep from being caught.
and so far as the character is concerned. he
never had any before he went to prison or
he never would have gone there.
What [ have to say to my fellow prisoners
is, cheer up. We who are in prison have
one great consolation. Here we have the
opportunity OF studying out what is re-
quired to constitute good character. and
of exercising those good qualities towards
our fellow prisoners. and consolidating
those good qualities into one true character,
which likely we would be unable to do in
the outside world. When we are out where
we have to come in contact with so many
evil temptations. as soon as we set some
good resolution. and are in the act of carry
Ing it into effect, something comes along in
the shape of immoral dynamite and blows
it to the four winds. But here there is
nothing in the way of our good resolutions
let us try. 1t will never do for us to suf
fer these long years and derive no good
therefrOm. We came into prison criminals,
let us 90 out men of honor and courage.
We will meet many who are disposed to
slur and criticise US, but remember, wise
mans mouth is in his heart, and fools
heart is in his mouth. We each have the
choice Of following good or following evil
which shall prove the mightier? 1t depends
upon ourselves. on our awakened conscience
and enlightened will. Good actions give
strength to ourselves and inspire good &C.
tions in others; therefore, let us strengthen
our minds. brace up and prepare ourselves
for the future. The race is for life; let us
not impose upon ourselves by sacrificing
our freedom and manhood. The memoirs
of men who have thrown their opportunities
away would constitute painful but mem
Orable volume for the worlds instructions;
then let us not augment the number. but
come up with determined will and say, 81
will be man in the face of all my mis-
fortunes" and we will soon find others
ready to help us. Wherever there is any
good to be done come up manfully and Of
fer your services. and disappoint those who
are watching for your immediate downfall.
We should not let one little misfortune
make us miserable for time and eternity.
Bismarck Prison. N. Oak. G. w. R.