The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1900-12-27
Vol. XIV.-NO. 23.
Written The Prison Mirror.
A VICTIM OF PREJUDICE.

When Jules Strong, the supposed
black sheep of the village of Barville,
was arrested the day before Christmas,
why everybody interiorly thought that
he was a degenerate and that such a
reprehensible character was deserving
of long term in the penitentiary.
Jules Strong had lived in the village
of Barville all his life. He was thirty
two years of age; weighed about one
hundred and eighty pounds, and was
as robust looking man as one would
wish to see. He was not handsome
man; on the contrary he had face
that was the embodiment of vicious
ness incarnate. His eyes were lustrous
black, rather deep-sunken and as shift
less and unresting as a floating bean in
boiling hot water.
From early boyhood he was left
alone in this tempestuous world to
battle with the tickle goddess, fortune.
He had few staunch friends; those he
did have were among the poor and
those who were invalids.
Several years before the period which
we write of, Jules was arrested for
stealing chickens. When he was
brought up for trial he presented a
woebegone looking creature. His
clothes were ragged and extremely
filthy; his toes protruded from his torn
and worn shoes, and with his vicious
looking countenance and shaggy head
of hair, which hung down on his coat
collar, Jules did not create very ia
vorable impression with the habitues
of the courtroom. The expressions
which greeted his appearance in court,
were profoundly caustic and defama-
tory.
"What vicious wretch" exclaimed
one.
Goodness, but doesn't he look mean
and cold-blooded :" said another sweet,
dimpled-faced looking miss.
81 hope his honor will impose the
maximum sentence" remarked be-
nevolent-looking and well-groomed
gentleman.
Such were the sentiments that the
audience gave vent to as Jules was
asked to arise and plead to the indict
ment tor stealing chickens. Not a
solitary person in that room felt any
sympathy for the prisoner. Not g
kindly face beamed upon him. MOI
one expressed wish to know who hi
was or what his occupation, or whether
he was deserving of leniency.
When the judge asked him whether
he would plead guilty or not guilty t.
the charge, he responded:
"Guilty, your honor" in a clear re
senate tone-almost musical-whicl
contained neither feeling of bitter
ness or malice.
When Jules voice resounded through
out the courtroom, the audience wa
almost dumfOunded at the contrast be
tween his voice and the external aI
pearance of the man. Many crane
their heads forward expecting that h
would vindicate himself before ser
tence was passed upon him. But t
the judges query if he had anythin
to say, he merely shook his head an
the judge imposed the maximum ser
tence.
Jules was taken to the penitentiar
to serve his time. Those who wei
actors in the grim drama of this man
life on that day, thought no more {
the incident; in fact, Jules Stron
ceased to exist to them. We wonder
they had an insight as to his true pc
sonality whether they would have mi
interpreted his motive in remainir
silent? They did not know of h
kindly ministrations to the sick ar
helpless; how often he had attende
them in their illness, chopped the WOO
brought water from the we'll and pr
pared their meal for them. Or ho
he helped to supply the necessaries