davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

position be no further attacked.
There are extenuating circum-
stances in most crimes, but in this
worse than monstrous one, this
deliberate, premeditated disregard
for the strongest ties of earthly
affection, the most charitable can
not point out the slightest excul-
patory evidence.
The writer would much rather
remain a life long victim in his
felon's cell than to be a free man
living on aristocratic Page Ave.,
st. Louis, as the acknowledged
committer of a crime worse than
murder-a crime against nature
and natures God; against mother
and childhood's god; yes, against
the human family as individuals
as well as in the composite body
polite known as Society.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
~SSaN1z=z\S
G&23&SE223No

In the series of articles dealing
with the Immediate problems which
concern the great powers Of the
world now appearing in the Amer
lean Monthly Review of Reviews,
Mr.. w. T. Stead writes for the
February number a paper on
British Problems and Politics for
1893" This is candid piece of
criticism, all the more interesting
to the non-English reader because
of it's strictly British point of view.
"Many persons imagine that the
life of an editor is one prolonged
unpleasantness, dreary monotone
of boredom, or fever fit of
anxiety, or an Intellectual attempt
to please the disgruntled," says
Henry Austin Adams, in Donahoe's
for February. Nothing could be
less true. An editor does, indeed,
have a very wide and interesting
opportunity for studying human
nature; that is to say, for discover
ing how much most people resem-
BILE himself as he feels before
breakfast. But there is a rosy and
joyous side to his life. No days
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

The trial Of Emile lola, the nov
elist, now going on in Paris, is apt
to disclose the rotten condition
and general weakness of the exist
ing government. lola is really on
trial for having attempted to urge
the re-opening Of the Dreyfus case,
and the anti-Semitic mobs have
declared the intention of hanging
every member of the jury if a
verdict of guilty is not rendered.
The mob is not bitter against
lola as lola. But in placing him.
self on the side of justice he APP
pears in the light of defending a
member of what the low class
Frenchmen consider hated race
With the mob it is not a question
as to whether Dreyfus was guilty
or that lola is in the right. They
sum the matter up thus: lola is
defending Dreyfus, and the latter
is a descendant of the men who
executed Christ. With the mob il
is simply question of "Who
killed Christi" and not who sold
their country's army secrets. The
French authorities certainly have
very good cause to blush with
shame at the whole trend of this
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

The bay state now has convict
labor problem on hand which is
about as serious as that which has
confronted the-New York author
tiles for some time. At the last
meeting Of the Massachusetts leg
islature a law was enacted restrict
ing the number of convicts to be
employed in any particular craft.
This law went into effect January
LIST. The prison authorities now
find it impossible to keep more
than one-third of their wards en-
ployed. If some method Of over
coming such enforced idleness is
not soon discovered a large increase
in the population of the insane
asylums of the state may be looked
for.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

WATCHING the battle of life from
the sheltered" precincts of this
asylum for moral invalids, one NAV
readily discern that vanity of a
very pronounced and cocksure
type is the ''ideal'' halter-strap by
which men are willingly led in
search of phantom success. Men
hate to accept the fact that the
great bulk of the human race
must, in the very nature of things,
be confined to hard manual labor.
This is probably the main cause
for the large number of business
failures and the physical and
mental wrecks resulting therefrom.
Men who would have been happy
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

"The average home holds out =
far more comfortable time, a more
leisurely life. healthier existence,
and better wages, than does the
Office, store or factory to an intelli-
gent girl or woman" writes Edward
w. Box of 1.-THE Working-Girl's
Great Chance" in the February
Ladies' Home journal. "The same
time devoted, for example, to the
study of shorthand or typewriting.
if given to the study of nursing or
domestic service, would mean twice
the income to a bright, steady girl
Unfortunately, girls will not sec
this, and thousands of them whe
are today struggling through an
existence in the outer world, could
have far more comfortable lives
and better wages in excellent
homes. How the average girl can
deliberately shut her eyes to the
opportunity which fairly glares
upon her as a good maid, nurse,
companion or domestic of any sort,
passes average comprehension
There has never been time when
mistresses were reader or more
willing to pay good wages for good
domestic service-wages compared
to which the pittance paid in shops
or factories sinks into insignif-
canoe. And, on the other hand,
the salaries of women in business,
as recent statistics plainly show,
are gradually on the decrease be-
cause of the willingness of hun
dreds of girls to work for mere
pittance. Every business house
has today waiting lists of scores Of
hundreds of applicants, while hun
dreds of homes cry out for intelli
gent domestic SERVICE
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

Few people give a second
thought to the amount of misery
and injustice they may inhict by
hasty judgment that is proverbially
one-sided. Where evil is found in
a mans life, it is possible, without
any great stretch of the magma
ton, to increase the slightest faux
pas into a veritable mountain of
crime. How much better would it
not be to take a charitable view of
such matters, where there is reason
to believe that such a course would
be duly appreciated by the one
under judgment? There are no
perfect men in the world and very
few who could withhold blush if
a strong searchlight was turned on
every nook and Granny of their
past.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

The parole system of the state
of Illinois does not contain pro-
visions barring the parole of any
man whether it is his first or fifth
conviction. The law simply allows
for the parole, under proper re-
strictions, of any offender, and
leaves to the judgment of the
warden and board of managers the
selection of men to be benefited
by the law. This is not any more
than right, as prison officials are
usually able to judge whether a
man intends to keep straight, as
they have a way of looking into a
mans past life that will bring up
little circumstances he may have
forgotten. By this means they
can sift the willing from the un-
willing, and the parole contract
always calls for the return and in.
creased punishment of those not
living up to it. The man who has
had couple or more doses of penal
medicine, if he has any manhood
left in him, is more apt to take adj
vantage of such an opportunity tc
prolong his life and happiness by
sticking to the straight course.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
THERE always has been ant

THERE always has been and
probably ever will be bone of
contention between religious sects
as to whether there is such thing
as punishment in a future life.
Many good people are divided on
this question, but they all are
united in agreeing that if there is
not a hell, there certainly should
be one if an infallible Judge is to
decide who shall inhabit such
region.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
WIFE AND MOTHER.

In THIS age Of social, political
and business rivalry, when pre-
sumptuous "great" men are in.
clined to the belief that even the
sun has it's main attraction around
their planetary personality, it does
one good to hear pean of truth
full praise given by a noble man tc
the authors of his worldly being
and happiness. President Nc
Kinley never reached a more sub
lime flight of loveable eloquence
than when some years ago, at a
meeting Of the old settlers of Ohio
he gave voice to the following:
''It is proud pleasure to me to be
able to credit to my wife and to my
mother whatever good things my fellow
cOuntrymen ascribe to me. TO wife
and mother mankind is indebted for
those high moral qualities, gentlepess,
truth and virtue, which are so indis.
pensable to good character, good citi-
zenship, and noble life. Our whole
political fabric rests on the sanctity of
the American home, where the true
wife and mother preside. They teach
the boys and girls purity of life and
thought, and point the way to useful.
ness and distinction. The world owes
them more than it can ever repay. The
man who has pure and true love for
mother and wife, requires no bond for
his good behavior, and can he safely
trusted in every relation in life"
These words are singularly ap-
propriate at this season when
within the space of two weeks the
Nation celebrates the anniversa-
ries of the birth of two of it's i'm
mortals: Washington and Lincoln,
both of whom were particularly
noted for the integrity of their
domestic relations and a sublime
devotion to wife and mother. The
examples of these two leaders,
especially the homely affection for
wife and family displayed by the
martyred Lincoln, taken with the
above words of the first man of the
land in the present day, should in
spire every true American to main
tain the high standard of home
affection thus set before us. It
matters not what a mans political
creed may be, if he is true man
true to himself and the bright
lights of home-he will be success
full and happy.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

AFTER a lawyer who had been
examining him said he had no
more questions to ask, John II.
Draper, a colored resident of Balti-
more, was SO grateful that he ex-
claimed "Thank God!" The Judge
thereupon fined him five dollars
for contempt of court. This may
be but new specimen of justice
as the sightless lady presiding over
the law factories has been sending
out even more startling samples of
her versatility lately.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
N 0 TIC E..

THOSE receiving copies of THE MIR
ROR who are not subscribers will
please consider them as sample cop
les. If, after reading them, you should
conclude that The MIRROR is
worthy of your patronage, send one
dollar to this office and we will enter
your name on our books for a
years subscription.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

A MEDICAL gentleman recently
stated in part that the shaking of
hands is q prolific method of
transmitting disease. He might
also have added that the "shaking''
of evil companions is safe pana-
cea for the avoidance of moral
disease.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
THE MIRROR is a weekly paper publishe

THE MIRROR is weekly paper published
In the Minnesota State Prison. 1t was founded
In 1887 by the prisoners and is edited and man.
aged by them. Its objects are to be home
newspaper; to encourage moral and intellectual
improvement among the prisoners; to acquaint
the public with the true STATUS of the prisoner;
t0disseminate psychological information and to aid
In dispelling that prejudice which has ever been
the bar sinister to a fallen mans self-redemptiOn.
The paper is entirely dependent on the public for
Its financial support. If at any time there should
accrue a surplus of funds. the money would be
expended in the interests of the prison library.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

and moderately independent as
mechanics forsook such oppor-
tunity on account of a vanity that
led them to seek higher social
connections through business
which they did not possess the
necessary ability to manage.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

In CHICAGO they are making
bets S to that Luetgert will be
granted a new trial. If the sausage
maker has sufficient funds to pay
for Durrant methods, the betters
have a sure thing in giving odds.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

THERE are very few towards
among men when it comes to meet
ing the dangers of powder and
steel on the female face and form
divine.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
SENT THEIR MOTHER TO THE
POORHOUSE.

was never demonstrated to better
advantage than in the airing Of the
sad case Of Mrs. Benedict Menges
by the st. Louis Post-Dispatch
last week
Mrs. Menges is the widow of g
once prosperous st. Louis shoe
merchant. She raised family OF
four children and gave them all q
fair start in life. Three of them
two sons and a daughter, are mar.
ried and own homes in the fashion
able residence portion Of St. Louis
and have a good income. The
mother was permitted to "exist'
with any Of the families while she
was able to trudge about the
scullery doing a domestic's work
Recently she has been an invalid.
and the children, after a masterfu]
deliberation, decided to send he1
quietly to the city poorhouse,
where she would be "out of sight
and out of mind
The oldest son, G. w. Menges,
who is chief clerk in the freight
department of the Big Four Rail
road, signed the necessary papers,
as did F. X. Roederer, a nephew
of the woman. The son William
did the rest-that is he brought
his mother to the city hall, pre-
sented his papers, and had her
hustled lover the hills to the poor
house" as rapidly as city ambu-
lance could with propriety cover
the distance. The son William,
though apparently not the worst
of the family, did not even stop to
say "Good-bye, mother!" but made
his exit as soon as the formality of
ringing for the ambulance was
completed.
Upon hearing Of the case Post
Dispatch man went to the poor
house to investigate and the result
was a startling write-up with a
picture of the old lady, a descrip-
ton of night in the poorhouse
and interviews with the degenerate
offspring who, possessing plenty,
sent an aged mother as an outcast
charge to the city poorhouse.
The Menges are now trying to
crawl into very small hole. The
publicity given the affair has
brought on repentant mood and
they are now willing to do any,
thing for mother, if the papers will
only contradict the statements and
lay the blame on brother Will"
Geo. w. Menges, Chief Clerk, if
you please, in the Freight Depart
ment of the Big Four Railroad, is
"afraid he will lose his position on
account of the publicity given
mothers case.'' Yes, he only
Thought mother was going where
she would be we'll treated"
Wasn't that real nice of G.. w.
to think SO! And he admits having
$500 of "mother's own money"
that might be used to buy her a
living for life. And what a
thoughtful son G. W., Chief Clerk,
ETC., now is. He actually remem-
bers having read of "places" where
life membership could be pur-
chased for $3.50.
Dear! dear! And he having
$500 Of mothers money" that
could have been utilized!
1t must be said to the credit of
the people of st. Louis that as
soon as this matter was made
public, there was no lack of willing
strangers to provide a comfortable
home for the old lady. She is
now IS, and will probably not
trouble friends or relatives very
many years. What makes the case
the more deplorable is the ante
committal admissions of the chill
dren that she had always been a
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

Poughkeepsie, n. Y, has a girf
phenom. who, at the age of two
years, played the piano. No won
Der the New York rush to the
h londike has become menacing.
Minneapolis Journal.
About the most encouraging.
sign in the lola trial is that Count
Esterhazy, suspected of being the:
traitor for whose crime Dreyfus
now suffers, is i'll from worriment
st. Louis Republic.
A tramp was found frozen to.
death in kneeling posture in a
Pennsylvania town, and the peo~
pie are wondering whether he died.
while offering prayer or hunting.
a snipe.-Denver Post.
The latest fad in blase New
York society is vegetable func-
ton in which the participants are
to appear in the role of the differ
ent vegt tables. To prevent crowd
ing, beets are to be barred. Min
neapolis Tribune.
The Paris newspapers are boast
ing of man who ''goes out on an
ostrich every day." Such a thing
as that would not attract
the least attention on this side of
the water where so many people
go out on a lark every night. -
Denver Post.
Secretary Hart, of the board of
corrections and charities, has at
last concluded to resign. He ex-
poets to enter upon his new duties
at Chicago on March l. The many
friends Of Rev. A. d. Stowe hope
he may be successful in his efforts
to secure the position of secretary,
an Office he could fill with much
credit to the association as we'll as
imself.-Stillwater Daily Gazette
A modern French court seems
to be organized for the purpose of
suppressing the truth. The world
outside Of France is viewing
French ideas of Justice with
amazement. When man like the
former President of France, M.
Casimir-Perier, taking the witness
stand, said, II can not swear to
tell the truth; it is my duty not to
tell it" it makes all comment su-
perhuous. It is plain acknowl-
edgment that the truth has been
and is suppressed Chicago Inter
Ocean
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

mail but brings to. him letters
which add to the gayety of life and
pierce the sombre gloominess of
routine"
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

affair and especially the injustice
originally inflicted on Dreyfus in
not giving him the open trial that
every civilized nation recognizes.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
@dQKF g 1Z'eX'|6tSESs
4>14NI:,, q: -. LIZ SS::;

The hired girl brought out the can
OF naphta from the sink,
And poured it DER the glowing Goals,
When, quicker than wink,
A great noise rent the atmosphere,
And made the household vince.
The girl went sailing through the air,
And hasn't benzine since.
-WaSeca Radical
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

This paper will be forwarded to subscribers
until ordered discontinued and all arrears are
paid.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

Should THE MIRROR fail to reach a subscriber
each week, notice should be sent to this office,
and the matter will be attended to at once.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

Contributions solicited from any and all sour
ces. Rejected manuscript will not be returned.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

Entered at the POst-Office at saltwater. Mimi.
as second. class mail matter.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

Poughkeepsie, N. Y, has a girt
phenom. who, at the age of two
years, played the piano. No won
Der the New York rush to the
h londike has become menacing.~
Minneapolis Journal.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17

Edited and Published by the Inmates
Of the Minnesota State Prison.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-09
THE PLANT or THE OAK TREE OLD

Al oak tree stands by an Old lodge gate,
WeiI-many league from here.
Waefs ns sun bright and TIRE stars a.
Dsgnt
shAe out from the skies az clear.
And this ancient oak with Rheumatic yTnls
Bending low Ger the old stone wall,
Seems ever 70 ray In lis wheezy way,
- tne Wang "A sbe branches taA
That the years go by with seasons prime.
Nor come to liz arms stretched wide,
4 a;ile maid WIN sunny braid
And Il boy mo used 10 ride,
IN frs lap lang hours 81 happy days
That haze Ia-zsed It's many spring.
And X s-gss 10 hoid, in its ieafy fold,
Their forms as they laugh and swing.
And I. yearns TO hear while bending lpx
It's h14gaA where these children swGn.-
Their tabs Of g.ee--thAs old oak Tree
Ana Their n4rtn alro' the leaves that
ruDg.
And 10 old-t.me knight to lis lady fair
could ever more tender be
TA4t the Lad - the mad with the sunny
braid.
To l,s plant the wind gives back q moan
That has ever a aint Of tears.
Far is channel deep holds II Iss keep
IneH lA4ga thro' TIE passing years.
That i; heard az It swayed tie 'oEuoz'
And sung 20 TIE baby leaves.
WIN co1ing sound. soft ten&er. round.
Like dove 10 !ts brood t-1at gE4eyvs,
s. the wina sghs lom. *, +: lgi1.ng Isis
To tae plant u tae oak tree cid.
How il signs III va4a FOR th1%e children
TAat i longs IN rs aru-s % fold.
80 3. <-atx e~s r., ,~.~ f. autumn
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-09

store had given It 70 him, and he had
taken Il horne because X had The names
~ all the streets This WIS wner he first
came 10 New York The book now served
him IL curious capacity. Between the
leaves were = 8 bills. the amour; OF his
savings. u was a safe bank. for who
wc8id think OF look ng there FOR money?
NcTe.Ea OIsfa went 70 hts room and
turned over Eve leaves o. the directory
AT Tim Ha4dons Office that afternoon
Mfs MeNesr's rent was marked paid
I've good news FOR you this morning.
Mrs NcEeigh" he sasd when he called
upon her mex day. 'tAr haadon says
never ratId a bout the rent this month
II yoU'u pay him when Us convenient,
ae'lt q agreeable. but don't worry about
i amy more
He was shaking internally with fear
tnAT :sis story would not be believed. for
i seemed 80 MIN thas everybody must
know Tim HaGdon by reputation. Seeing
upon the widows face what he took to
Dr. hook OF increaul!ty. he plunged deep
er into false hood.
Since iyins my jon taiS day. ! might
sell and then aloud % her.
There's them that calls TIM Haddon
2 hard man, out nis hearts Ike child's
IL 3 only his manner ta4t : rCGgh. lie 3
all right wnen yo1 know lin. j. may b.
mat a. Sgen: q his Will O. q mean thing
Tow and then. bat has not 10 blame for
that"
'"w-iu you tell him how grateful 7 am
20 him." said she. And 3ts never q
dollar he'll lose by trusting me"
a few days more ard the tlrst OF an
other month cane along. Annie was just
badly Of AZ before. Size rad used the
se~ Goilars that she had managed 20 get
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-09

SA1-ae was beginning % yrumbls In a
~'i-ST~r WHEN ire nex< snor opened SUD
deny ARD VIZ heard our nan so out. We
slarT-e-1 olIt into The coyr?3o- and stopped
II r<aTplexlty.
The door - NJ, 3 stood VIDE open. ara
tHeTs Vas 10 o-e IN ,Ae roa.i. Down the
SaA nan WIS walking rapidly toward
the stairway bsst = VAS not ;na nan We
aac Swallowed. This vas a tall slender
individual. VIII back hasr. showing under
Ms nat ort-7, Tet felt thar knew that
1lgElfie2 back and that erect figure. ard
inssiEcttve}y We octh ran after the man.
cVeri1kioZ HIN Just As na set f0et gr0n
re to2GoSt stair. He t2rae} squaTeiy and
faced 2s and saw as cheeks turn as
pale as ashes, though ae made no slsa q
recognition.
d.d not recognizes him for a second on
account ~ tEe absence a. -Ac pointed
bear1 watch ne had shaved Of hct CHAR
lie Old aud emitted an .a4ATticulate splutter.
IL Was Mr.. PlAk.nGkau. or owner. with
out a doubt. We uust have turned as
pale as he did. and 20. i've hreaths we
stood here n f.shieau. Ike a trio o detect
ed criminals. What Charlie Thought Of