The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-05-03


self. If you should intrude by asking
why he maintains such Indifference in
regard to his own welfare, your reply
will be, it is of no consequence in any
case, or it is immaterial to him how the
world goes on, as long as he can steal
enough to enable him to live in luxury,
and prey upon society without being
arrested.
A person who is conscientious and
upright, will not permit the subject to
be advocated otherwise, than foolish
ness, for it makes person inconsistent
with the high aspirations his relatives
have had in regard to him, which
especially characterizes the father and
mother, in their desire that he might
become useful in future life, and by his
inconsistency on this point, he de-
molishes everything that would have
cOnsoled them in future years, and
deprives them of a peaceful mind; more
than all this, he proves himself an en-
cumbrance to others. This is not the
only direction, in which he is the cause
of misfortune to those about him,
which could have been easily avoided
had he judged rightly, and adopted the
right road to happiness and wealth
under the supervision Of his parents.
By submitting himself to their guild
ance, he would relieve them of great
responsibility in after life.
Is it possible that we can foster such
ideas, or is the bitter experience OF
others not sufficient to teach us to per
ceive the great sorrow and regret we
are bringing to others, as we'll as our
selves? What is it going to terminate
in? What is the outcome of leading a
life opposed to society? We all can
answer the question, it is Imprisonment
sooner or later
, 1t is a sad and true fact that the clev-
crest criminals mi4gle in the best socl-
> ETY.: by being furnished with good
appearance, they are enabled to gain
the confidence and goodwill Of persons
f prominent in society. Take for instance
) the many bank defaulters, Of which
f some were society leaders, models, as
! was thought, that all young men might
3 follow. They were placed in positions
2 of responsibility aad trust, to act a:
y honest men; but they had too grea
t ambition. Therefore. the recompenst
e which they were receiving for their ser
vices was not sufficient to supply thel
demands, Or keep Up with the fast lit
they were leading. You may intrud'
# by asking how is that? Well, it is al
easy matter to put forward differen
answers, but one especially arrests m
attention. And that is gambling. L
- is disease, the hardest in the world t
) cure. and when a man has an appetit
for gambling, it is far worse than tn
=, passion for drink. Besides, the drunk
g ard is not responsible after few drinks
- while the gambler must have all nj
- acuteness on the alert. Again, tn
!. drunkard has the advantage financial.
~ For nickel or ten cents he can get
- drink. But to gams1e-a dollar-whs
VI is it? And when not conveniently ha'
e; what is the temptation? 1t is some
e. thing frightful to contemplate, and b
n comes irresistible if the desire is M
w satisfied.
y Let those of us who find Ourselvt
~ behind prison bars, look this subje'
ch squarely in the face, and pay 1t the a
Mt tention which it appeals for. Ii Othe
wise, the brand that is already set upC
our character, which is not altOgeth
Is so severe as it might be, and which ca
en- easily beremedied if we prove Ourselv
n worthy, will remain. 1t this brand
- permitted to make three or four slmll
~ impressions, our character is useles
re and our principles unfounded; and Wh
%! is the result? We are watched secret
he we cannot be trusted; and the III
N. wrong move we make brings. us beto
~ a Justice. We are convicted and
'se turned to prison, there, in all pro6ab
M ity, to fill a convict's grave. Ihe
of remarks are in no way exaggerated, I
~ would not have to enter into eXtrem
y, to have this statement corroborate
lo Therefore, let us consider what socle
as is. and what it is intended for, and
he so doing we will become subject TO-
No influence; it will be our chart when ..
leave here, to depend on and to glll
ao us through the world as honest and !
his right men.-Edward Pierce, IN Y
M Paper.