The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-03-03
What Shall Doe

''What shall l do when am launched
into the busy world?" This is question
that many of us are bordering and which
very few of us can answer in a way that
satisfies us. No. there is not man in this
prison that knows for certain what he is
going to do till the time comes to do it. l
notice that large majority of those fellows
who tell you of the great things they are
going to accomplish when they get out are
the very fellows that never accomplish any.
thing. 1t is time enough to bid the devil
good morning when you meet him. But
there is another question. my friend, that
every one of us can answer; and on that
answer will depend largely, if not wholly,
the results of our future. That question is,
''What sort of a man am l going to be?"
II you are going to live good. straight
life. which is possible, you need not have
any fear. You can find a way to get along
when the time comes. But if you do not
make up your mind to be honest then it
matters little where you 60 and what you
do. for you will never be safe. and when you
least expect it you will be found out
Life at Its best is warfare, so do not
expect to go through the campaign without
having to fight battles. Were there no bat
ties there would be no victories; were there
no victories there would he no glory.
Now. my friend. knowing as you do that
you have great battle to fight when YOU
face the cold world again, you should SO
tight that even your enemies will respect
you. good soldier will push to the front
in the battle while the coward will hang
back and seek some place of safety at the
rear. Mr.. Francis" would have us quit
the field without firing shot. 1 agree with
him as far as avoiding old associates is con
cerned. We should never bring on an en-
gagement. but when attacked, as we will
surely be. we should stand firm-the eyes
OF the world will be upon us. We have
our all at stake and in order to redeem our
lost character we must fight and fight hard.
Ask all these men here what was the cause
OF there downfall, and nine out of ten will
reply, whisky" Well. have been from
one end of this country to the other and
know OF no town in it where you cannot get
whisky If you try. So, if that is your weak.
ness. it will have the same power over you
in one place that it will in another.
said before that we should have a pur-
pose in life; l say so now. We should
make up our minds to live honorable lives.
That is the purpose l mean.
Which of two men going out of here is
deserving of the most credit. the one that
goes back to his home and friends deter.
mined to show to the wOrId-nOt by words
but by actiOns--that he can yet be
man. and that it was mistaken in thinking
him the miserable outcast that it did. or the
one that sneaks off to bury himself in some
out OF the way place like coward? But
circumstances alter cases. I know there
are some who have good reasons for going
where none know them. l agree with
"Francs' in that it would be very foolish
to run unnecessary risks. But repeat that
If there is nothing in the way more than
that you are an ex-cOnvict do not let it
make an exile of you. DEXTER.
Many men who complain of working las
hard as truck horse" probably allude to
the time that the truck is standing on the