The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-03-24
A Letter From Nebraska.

Lancaster. Neb., March 13, 1892
Editor PRISON MIRROR. Inmates and Brother
Chautauquans: Thinking you would like to hear
from fellow.workers in Nebraska have taken ad-
vantage of the present opportunity to infict upon
you few lines in regard to the "Look Forward
Circle'' of this institution-that being the name
chosen for circle by Mr. Leavitt, with the fol.
lowing motto chosen, as understand. by Miss Kate
Kimball: "Wouldst lead noble life? Then cast
no backward glances toward the past; and though
somewhat be lost and gone, yet do thou act as
one newborn. "-Goethe. This was adopted unan.
imously. Jan. 10. 1892. Although we are behind
in our exercises, having been under quarantine
for about six weeks, 1 am informed by our secre-
tary and librarian that the classes are up with
the required readings. Our circle has sixty eight
members with others waiting to fill the places left
vacant by persons whose time expires We fin
inished our social and Political Institutions" to.
day, and will close with history at our next exer-
else. We have had some very good papers on diff.
ferent subjects pertaining to our studies. So you
see we are not going to give up as a class. or as
individuals, for we have derived altogether too
much pleasure and profit from our readings and
exercises during the past three years. Because
of the kind attention and pains that our friends
in Lincoln have bestowed upon us, we owe it as
duty to them to do our best. Mr.. Leavitt to-day
read few lines of greeting from that noble man,
Bishop Vincent-to whom we owe this excellent
course Of readings-and we have determined to
follow his advice in each and every respect. Our
boys think that the PRISON MIRROR is "the pa
per-" especially the Chautauqua column. ex-
pect this will be my farewell letter from this or
any other institution of its kind you can stand
the torture little while longer should like to
they may help some poor fellow who is despond
emit over his future. The first thing to do, in my
estimation. is to mark out plan in your own mind
of your future course Let it be honest, then fol.
low it to the letter. and you will succeed in spite
of all. Never be ashamed Of once having fallen,
but let your conduct show the world that you can
be an honest, law-abdng citizen. If you have a
family make home for them, and make it a
home in every sense of the word-a place where
nothing but love. kindness, intimacy, and happi-
ness shall rule supreme-the only place where
your leisure hours should be spent. Shun all
places that liable to lead you into temptation
or from your idea of what is due to your family
! and to yourself. 1 never have tried but am to
do so. and shall succeed. 1 intend 10 let you hear
from quite often in order to prove that diff
ference how hard name a man may have he can
make one that people will be bound to respect
have received my inspiration from the Chautau-
qua course of reading. and the influences which
the people who surround us have thrown over us.
trust that many more will be influenced in the
same way. not only here and with you. but in the
institutions of the kind all the country. 1t
sounds so weak to hear a man say, "Oh, was led
astray by Others" l was not do believe
that any other man ever was; that is. after he
had reached the age of discretion. l have had
my say and have not said much either. I will
now close and with this advice: Join Chautauqua.
study hard and heed its teachngs;.an build the
structure of thy future upon resolve not upon re.
greet Hoping you will not be too badly bored
now tender you all the right hand of fellowship
and with my best wishes bid you all a kind fare.
| WELL So Fall in" for the last time.
CHAS. e. B.