The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-10-12

OBSERVER.
Xxx
1t is to be deplored that the system
OF apprenticeship has fallen into disuse
in this country. Under the present
conditions the American youth has but
poor show to learn trade. If he does
learn one it is more the result of chance
than any thing else. Denied the Oppor-
tunity to learn a tradea man is forced to
take the first thing that comes to hand.
Never sure of steady work and with
wages barely sufficient to keep body
and soul together, he is indeed to be
pitied When forced to remain idle
with hunger and want staring him in
the face, his lot is anything but happy
One How different with the trades
man. The demand for first class me-
chanics is always greater than the sup
ply. He is always sure of steady work
at living wages, as rule a mechanic that
understands his business can command
his price anywhere. TO any one who
wishes to give young man start in
life, would say: put him in position
to learn trade; if he has stuff in him
he will force him self on top. In the
words of Daniel Webster "there is al
ways room on the top YON.
x*x
There is no lodging the issue: Either
work for your living, steal, or starve.
Which will we do? We will not starve,
that is certain; then, either to work or
steal remains. If we steal we must pre-
pare to spend at least half our lives in
prison. And what an outlook! In the
power and at the mercy of keepers and
jailors who have no sympathy for you;
who, knowing nothing but their duty,
are Oftimes harsh in its discharge. Fed
on plain food and compelled to work
whether willing or not. Deprived of
free speech and bereft of the society of
women, what becomes of us? A few
years and we descend to the level of the
side. Instead of starting in to steal, I
rolls on the habits of temperance and
steady worker develop those habits of
economy which always come to honest
labor. About the time the thief is dis
charged from prison with few dollars
and an enfeebled mind, the man with
trade has several thousands in the
bank, owns his own home and lives in
peace and happiness surrounded by his
family. r.
Xxx
Every man should learn a trade no
matter whether he ever works at it after
having learned it or not. A trade is in
itself an education, but when to the
trade we add an education, be it special
or technical, we are better fitted to fill
our station in life no matter what that
station may be, than if the trade or ed
ucation alone had been acquired. By
many the acquisition of trade is con-
sidered degrading; yet, each male mem
ber of the German imperial family
must learn trade, thus refuting the
theory Of degradation. Others, again,
think that they have no time to learn a
trade and secure an education. That
is mistake. Work at trade; and, if
you think you can be successful in
some profession, study it. The time so
spent will be a rest and profit. If,
having acquired both trade and profes-
sion, we find ourselves more proficient
in one, that is the one to follow. The
trade has aided us to develop our
minds and no matter what department
of life we afterwards fill, the knowledge
will be benefit. If many of those who
have learned professions had also
learned trade, humanity would have
been greatly the gamer. LEONARDUs.
Tunnelling Under Difficulty.