davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

In the last issue of 'The House.
keeper" there is an editorial en-
titled "a Plea for Ennobling Lit
erature." The literature alluded
to is the world Of story and fiction,
and since the editor, Efie w.
Merriman, is writer of some note
in that world, her reflections pos
sess added value. We cannot
give the purport of her views as
given in the mentioned editorial
in more effectual way than by
using her own words which are as
follows:
Is the conspicuous part assigned
to the villain in the majority of
stories necessary in order to hold
the interest of the reader? In
other words, is wickedness neces-
sary to the interest of a story? If
50, is not the taste that demands
this a questionable one? The
public must be catered to; but the
only way to eradicate wicked and
disgusting elements from books is
to build up taste for wholesome
reading. This must be done by
the people who write; and the way
to accomplish it is to give to the
reading public entertaining and
interesting books that reflect only
the better part of real life.
The essential work of literature
is to educate and improve. This
being true, the reading chosen
should invariably be that which
brings out the best there is in one
something that stirs the soul
with noble desire and stimulates
the endeavor to better living.
That reading which inspires one
to do his best is true food for the
soul. Ones companions should
be those who will bring out the
best traits in ones character; and
as books are thought-companions,
those that are filled with hate and
petty meanness are not desirable,
even though the characters that
represent the wickedness eventual
ly come to some bad end; while
the less conspicuous persons, who
do nothing that is interesting ex-
cept to just be good, are amply
rewarded. Contamination of the
mind results from close associa-
ton with the evil thought and ac-
tons portrayed.
In the above the editor and au-
thor opens up the great question
as to the true mission of art. Has
the portrayor of charater or per-
sonality in fiction another mission
beside that expressed in the shib-
boleth, cart for Arts Sake"
which interpreted means simply
portrayal of personalities for the
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

stitutes my desire to maintain it's
high rank, and thus perform it's
mission. Nor is it the mere pleas
ure that words Of commentator
and praise carry with them, but
for the benefit of myself, my fell
low inmates and society at large.
In this work l con fdently ask
for the hearty cooperation of my
fellow prisoners, not as a personal
favor but as a duty. | wish to
give ample space for broad con-
sideration of problems that touch
the prisoners life in vital way. [
wish to give space for words that
cheer. elevate, humanize and
ennoble our natures. Realizing as
I do that a good hearty laugh, even
though the auditory part must be
suppressed, is worth as much as a
good meal or many doctors pills,
[ therefore wish to give space to
the humorous and pleasing. [
wish also to give space to the con-
sideration of the best writer's and
thinkers and their productions.
Each week shall endaavOr To
publish the whole or a part of a
short story that is fresh from the
pen of our best story writer's.
These stories shall be carefully
selected, with a view to be enter
tanning and to give us glimpses Of
ideal human characters. After a
number have been published [
shall ask the inmates to decide
which was the best one. This will
be done by each one casting a
ballot for his choice.
In closing this brief outline of
my plans for The MIRROR let me
say 1 shall spare no pains in my
efforts to accomplish the desired
end. If I fail it shall not be
through lack of effort or INSULT
cient desire.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

LAST weeks issue of THE MIR
ROR ended my connection with it,
and these few lines are the last
from my pen in this paper.
l bid you good-by, my fellow
prisoners with the feeling that [
leave behind friends.
The many exchanges that honor
this paper with their courtesies I
wish to thank for their kindness
to me. It has been fully appreci-
ated and a great help.
I have done the best [ could to
furnish mental entertainment for
my fellows, and if l have been
unsuccessful it has not been due
to lack Of effort. 1859.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

AN exchange says "A man of
business sense knows that the man
he can bride against his Compel
itor can be bribed against him
SELF" Yes, and he also aught to
know that the man who can be
bribed against his customer can
also be bribed against himself.
Yet how many business houses
there are that bribe their employees
against their customers.
[ believe if a census could be
taken of the embezzlers and swind-
lers who have received their first les
sons under the brides of employ
er's society would be surprised.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

purpose of displaying the ability
of the portrayor?
l agree with the conclusions Of
the editor and author, that art has
an other mission which is of far
more Importance than that of a
mere display of ability l say, art
or ability for the elevation of man
kind! Art for the portrayal of the
ideal which is an extension of the
real to more perfect, more beauti-
full, more loveable and more power
full conditions.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

The regular meeting of the Pierian
Chautauqua Circle will be held in the,
chaple next Sunday. The president
states that the mock congress will con-
tinue to be part of the program; and
that instead of doing as heretofore, the
congress will be divided into two sec.
tions; class A, B and c composing one
section, D, E and F the other. The bill
under consideration is an amendment
to the constitution for the purpose of
electing senators by popular vote, in
stead of electing them as they now are
by state legislature.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

Some time ago one of the men in the
carpenter shop, on going to work in the
morning, left his weekly allowance of
tobacco in his cell, and on his return at
night, found his cherished plug, was
gone. The next morning he. said to
his keeper:
"Oh no, dere must pc tives in dis
blace."
l doubted the truth of his story until
the other day when engineer Jones' lit
tie dog came running up to the prison
teamster with plug of tobacco in his
mouth. The little thief! Shut him up
Deputy, before he contaminates the in
mates of the prison. "..
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

WITH this issue of The MIRROR
its editorial guide for the last nine
months bids adieu to it's readers
and turns over the guiding power
to another. Before this reaches
it's readers he will have hidden fare
we'll to this institution.
It is needless for me to say that
with his departure this institution
looses one of it's brightest intel
lectual lights. All who have been
readers Of THE MIRRORS columns
during his editor-ship appreciate
that fact.
The Pierian Chautauqua Circle
of which he has been a constant
active member will especially
realize the loss.
[ believe that when [ say, we
shall miss him, but we congrat-
ulate him on the ending of one of
the darkest periods Of his life, and
that he takes with him our
best wishes Of success and hap
piness. Iexpress the convictions of
many more in this institution.
| congratulate him on being
able to again join his dear family.
1 congratulate his dear family
on his return. To society at large
l say, "our loss is your gain,
whether you appreciate the fact or
not" His only future need is
justice, and with it he will establish
himself as a true and loving
husband and father, and an
honorable and thrifty citizen.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09
N 0 TIC E..

ALL PERSONS receiving copies Of
THE MIRROR who are not Oh our
regular lists will please consider
such as sample copies. If, after
reading. you conclude that THE
MIRROR Is worthy of patronage
send your name to this Office for
trial. subscription at rates as pub
lfehed above.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

IT is with some timidity and
hesitation that l take the RESPONSE
bility devolved upon me in be-
coming the editorial guide of The
LITTLE MIRROR. The main cause
of these feelings is the high rank
THE MIRROR has attained and
should maintain in the future.
The MIRROR has a mission to per-
form. It is not a question of dol
lars and cents with me, that con-
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

Il am tired of planning and tOiling
In the crowded hives of men;
Heart-weary of building and spelling.
And spelling and building again,
And long for the dear old river.
Where 1 dreamed my youth away;
For dreamer lives forever,
And a tOiler dies in day.
Il am sick of the snowy seeming
Of a life that is half a lie;
OF the faces lined with scheming
In the thrOng that hurries by.
From the sleepless thoughts endeavoT
would go where the children play;
For dreamer lives forever,
And a tOiler dies in day.
Il feel no pride, but pity,
For the burdens the rich endure;
There is nothing sweet in the city
But the patient lives of the poor
Oh the little hands so skillful,
And the child-mind choked with weeds
The daughters heart grown willful,
And the fathers heart that bleeds.
mo, no! from the streets rude hustle.
From trOuphies of mart and stage.
would fly to the woods low rustic,
And the meadows kindly page.
Let me dream as of old by the river.
And pc loved for the dream. Away;
For dreamer lives forever,
And a toiler dies in a day.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

During the last week stream of mu-
sic from a canine in agony, has been
pouring in great profusion into the
dollhouse. With the natural curiosity
of scribe, took it upon myself to
trace the stream to it's source; and be.
hold came face to face with the stew
ards hash machine. It's all right stew
ard; your hash is all right too, but bot.
tie up the canine music for some holi-
day.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

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 a home
newspaper; to encourage moral and intellectual
Improvement among the prisoners to acquaint
the public with the true STATUS fthe prisoner;
to disseminate pathological information and to aid
dispelling that prejudice which has ever been
the bar sinister to fallen mans self-redemptOn.
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, 1899-03-09

No feature of this institution is of
more value to large number who are
sent here, than the nine months of
night school every year. Old men and
young men come here unable to write :,
read or figure and 60 away proficient
in each of these lines. Who is able to
fully estimate the value of such acquire
ments? Probably only those who have
lived large part of their lives without
them. One of the present officials who
has been here long time and who has
been in position to observe the effect
of such an education, tells
me of many instances of old men
who could not write word when they
arrived here, learning to write very
we'll during their stay. He tells me
how these men after learning to write
can scarcely believe that they have
acquired that ability. They could not
be sure that such was fact until they
had written to wife, daughter or
some friend and received an answer;
Many of such were then so pleased
that they would shed tears of joy.
There is corps of ID teachers select
ed from the inmates of the institution.
The superintendent is the superintend-
ent of the Saltwater city schools. 1
shall in the near future have more to
say on this grand feature of the insti-
tuition.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09
WHAT is GOOD.

What is the real gOOd?"
j asked in musing mood.
Order" said the law court:
knowledge" said the school:
TRUTH" said the wise man:
Pleasure" said the fool:
Love-" said the maiden:
Beauty" said the page:
Freedom" said the dreamer:
Home" said the sage:
Fame" said the soldier:
Equity 1.-THE seer.
Spake my heart full sadly
The answer is not here.
Then within my bosom
Softly this 1 heard
Each heart holds the secret;
Kindness is the word"
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09


In late issue of the Progressive
Age it's editor, Prof. w. r. Dob
byn, expresses his views as to what
the people of United States should
be doing preparatory to sending
delegates to the proposed confer
ence on disarmament. He says:
The great conference on arma-
ment proposed by the Gar is not
receiving the attention in this
country which it should Our
government will, of course send
delegates, but public opinion
has not been aroused Great
public meetings should be called
and the press Of the country
should devote space to furnishing
arguments in favor of a gradual
disarmament of the nations of the
world This is question of the
supremest Importance. In Eng
land great public meetings are
held and public sentiment, strong
and we'll directed is carrying the
country to profound convictions
upon this question. The public
debts of the world are war debts.
The world is grooming beneath
the burden of taxes imposed to
support the military establish
ments of the nations. We should
as a nation, anxious for peace, be
prominent and active, and clothe
our delegates to the conference
with the authority which alone
can come from the people,
Right you are Professor, and ii
makes no difference whether the
outcome of the forthcoming con-
ference is the formation of COM
pact for disarmament between the
principle nations of the world or
not, or whether any future confer
ence will be thus successful, the
agitation you propose will ulti-
mately end in such disarmament.
peace on earth good will to man"
has been the ideal state prayed for
and longed for by the grandest
and purest souls of all past and
present time. It was the message
that Jesus lived and died for.
1t seems strange to me that the
proposition Of disarmament should
come from the Gar of Russia
instead of the Christian pulpits of
the civilized world. [ have been
looking ever since the Gar pro-
posed such a conference for the
ministry of all denomenations and
religions to unite and send up one
grand amen to the Cars utter
ances. Now is the ministries su-
preme opportunity to carry the mes
sage of peace on EARTH to every
human being possessing intelli-
gence enough to comprehend it.
That message should not only be
herald from the pulpit, but in the
home, in the schoolhouse. in the
press, in short, wherever there are
eyes to read or ears to hear.
[ believe in the dominant power
Of good. Will the twentieth cent
ury eye see the bayonet, saber and
cannon moulten into plow-shares?
I hope SO, at any rate we are en-
tering into an epoch of human
history that will bring us nearer
to the realization of the sweet
dream of Peace and Love.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

The Pioneer, in last weeks issue,
quotes one THE MIRRoRR's editorials
and credits it to the Prison Press.
Render unto Caesar etc."
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

THE CRY OF THE DREAMER.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

This paper will be forwarded to
Subscribers until ordered discontinued
and all arrears are paid.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-09

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, 1899-03-09

Contributions solicited from all SOU :es.
Rejected manuscript will not be returned.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11
CROP STATEN ENT.
Shows An 8 Per Cent Reduction in the
Cotton Acreage.

Washington, June 10.-The CONSOLE
dated returns of the different crop re-
porting agencies Of the Department of
Agriculture, made up to June 1st, in
dicates reduction of about s per cent.
in the acreage planted in cotton, as
compared with last year. The reports
from several of the cotton States are
more or less conflicting, and the De
partment will issue no quarantitative es-
innate of the acreage until it is more
definitely ascertainabe. That there has
been a substantial reduction of acre
age. however. admits of no doubt. Not
only was the acreage originally planted
less than that of last year, but there
has been some blowing up of land on
which the seed, generally poor
quality. of which there are hundreds
of complaints, had failed to terminate
The indicated decrease in the princi-
pal States is as follows:
North Carolina and Tennessee, II pei
cent: South Carolina and Alabama {
Georgia. Louisiana and Arkansas. 10;
Texas. 9: Mississippi, =; Indian Terri
tory, 4; Oklahoma, 10.
The average condition on June Isl
was S5.7, against 50 on June LIST, lS9S
and SS.1, the mean of the June aver
ages for the past fifteen years.
The condition in the principal States
is as follows:
Texas. 90; Georgia, So; North Caro-
lima. 81: South Carolina and Alabama
Sc: Tennessee, So Indian Territory. ~
Louisiana and Oklahoma, ST. Arkansas
so. and Mississippi IS.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11
DIVISION oF TIE sPoHls.
Fitzsimmons G.-s >35,5S1 and Jeffries
Gets S27.054.

New York, June 10.-The Times to-
morrow will say:
The division of the spells of the JEFF
Embellishments fight was as follows;
Half of the receipts went to the Coney
Island Sporting Club and half to the coil
teStantS. The amount taken i'll at the
door was SS5,270. Half of the admis-
SION money amounted to S42,635. OF this
INitzsimmonS received 90 per cent or
$2J.oS1 and JeffrieS forty per cent or
S11.054. The purse said to have been
offered by the club WAS $4,000 In the
event of Jeffries winning this was to be
fully divided, thereby making Fitz. 5 to-
tai receipts $500 and JeffrieS I,0o4.
1t is declared that Fitz would nor
make the match until he had been guar
anteed the large end of the purse ana
the gate money owing to his reputation
and position. Manager Brady accepted
40 per cent for his imam. believing that
in the long run such an amount und Il
decision were worth more than 60 PEI
cent and a defeat.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11
CAB STRIKE is STILL ON
SOLDIERS SLEEPING IN TENTS
THAT ARE LEAKY.
THE CANVAS WAS ALSO EMBALMED
Army in Havana is HeaIthy--Cubans Now
Anxious Enough to be Paid
Three Spanish GueriIIas
Rounded Up.

Havana, June 10.-An immense Span
ish flag with picture of General Wcy
Ter pasted on it was borne to-day at the
head of party of 80 Spaniards who
were on their way to embark. for Spain.
AS the party proceeded, its members
cried viva Espana."
Two Cubans, Carlos Cruzado and
Miguel Alicia, were met by the Span
iards who endeavored to compel them
to hurrah for Spain This the Cubans
refused to do, replying with shouts of
viva Cuba" The leader of the mob,
Vicente Morente attacked Atieza and
was assisted by his companions.
Atieza was roughly handled, and re-
ceived Il number Of severe bruises The
police interfered and arrested Morente,
but sent the remainder of the party on
board ship.
The cab strike is still ON. Private
stables are reaping Il harvest, they
charging Tor conveyances at the rate
of S4 in gold per hour, and all their We
hicles are engaged.
The soldiers at Camp Columbia are
their accommodation not having been
finished The daily heavy rains are
causing great annoyance. All the tents
are of new brown hospital canvas
which was thought to be the best OBJ
tainabe for the climate, but has proved
| utterly unit. The chemicals used IL
the dye eat the fibre and make the nt>
| leak after a week of exposure. The
| daily rains soak quickly through anc
drench the men, who are disgusted Al
the tents have wooden floors and cots
| but unless the barracks. are soon com
| pleted sickness will probably develop
although under the present conditions
the health of the soldiers is remarkable
The army health report for the cit!
of Havana is very gratifying to Genera
| Ludlow. OF the 1000 men, less thar
= per cent are sick The ordnar!
| health of the city remains good. On'
supposed case of yellow fever is report
cd on board the steamer Ardanmohr
from Carthagena. Some of the arm.
doctors say the patient is suffering from
yellow fever, but Doctor w. L. Brune1
| chief quarantine officer, declares tina
he is not. The ship has been quaran
tined and the man removed to the h<9
pital.
Jose Maria Gomez, Governor of SAINT
Clara Province, telegraphs to Senior DC
| mingo Mendez Capote, Secretary 0
Government in General Brooke's ad
visory Cabinet that the rural guard a
Yaguaiay have captured three SPANS
yuerillas-Salina Sanchez, Leon Pere
and Juan Prado- who have terror'ze
the inhabitants of that vicinity of late
threading lone travellers and taking o
horses. oxen and money. They recent
took horse from Cuban giving hi
an order on the mayor of laguaJay fo
payment. saying that the war OF in'i'
pendence has begun.
Advices from Saguay say that Captal
Rafferty, is paying the soldiers ann
great enthusiasm. Many of the trooI
are anxious to receive the money a
they are suffering for lack of lmpl'
ments to begin the cultivation of tn
land. and to earn sufficient money
purchase necessities.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11
ON THE DIAMOND.

Chicago, June 10.-Callahan was IN
great form today and for the second
time this season Shut st. Louis out
allowing them hut four scattered hits.
Attendance 6,400. Score:
Chicago 49,. % 90 90 Xxi ~
ST. Louis ......000 900 4
BATTERIES: Galatians and Nichols;
Young and O'Conmor Umplres, Swalt-
wood and Warner. Time Loo.
New York. June 10.-Dohcny was re-
sIponsble for the BoSton's victory today.
In the sixth he hit a batsnhan and gave
three bases ON balls forcing in a run
and in the ninth sent three men to base.
The Chants got all of their runs by
timely hitting. Grady was injured and
WILL be out of the game for some time.
Attendance $500. Score:
New York -. 1 90 00O2 O-4 q
Boston 000020O 80 l
Batteries: Doheny and Warner: Kilien
and Clark Umpires, Lynch and War
ner. line 2:1o.
Pibts.,lrg. June 10.-Pittsburg cap
tured two games from Louisville today.
The first was easy, Tannehill keeping
the hits scattered and the errors were
not costly I'm the second, Lever
braced up after the second and had
good support Phitlippi was rather puz-
cling. but the locals got their hits when
needed. Attendance 1000. Scores:
First game):
Pittsburg 0201O003x-6 II !
Louisville 80. @ 30 00-1 u
Batteries: Tannehill and Schriver
Woods and Zimmer. Umpires, Kit
tredge and Gardner. Time 100.
Second game):
Pittsburg $3.50. Il 0 I 90 20x-5 Z
| Louisville -. 100000 00-4 II
Batteries: Leevcr and Bowerman
| Ihillipli and Kittredge. Umpire Calf
ney Time 2:10.
ATLANTIC LEAGUE GAMES:
| Scranton s. Lancaster 3.
Reading /; Richmond 2.
Newark ID; Paterson 4.
Allentown 2; Wilkesbarre 4.
Pinceton q; Yale =.
Harvard Z; Pennsylvania 6
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11
UPSET IN TIE WATER.

Twenty Young People Struggle for
Their Lives-Two Drowned.
Stockton, Cal, June 10.-At midnight
a party of twenty young people who
were enjoying a pleasure ride in .
catamaran on the river were thrown
into the water by the overrurning of
the boat. A desperate struggle for life
followed, and it was reported that many
had been drowned, but today all but
two of the party were accounted for.
Those drowned were:
Miss Mabel Hafitz, Walter Hender-
son. the engineer.
Rescue parties from shore saved
many of the young people and strong
swimmers who were i'll the party mani
aged to land most of the others.