The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-04-21

MY ATTENTION was recently
called to an article in one of the
newspapers, which, if true, is quite apt
to discourage those who are about to
leave this hive of industry. 1t related
the case of an ex-prisoner who on re-
turning to his native heath was so
harassed by the authorities that he
finally went back to his old ways. If
there is any truth in this story it is
a very sad state of affairs, very sad
indeed. But doubt it's authenticity.
There may be such instances bnt they
are few and far between. There are
also men with a nature so mean and
rotten and devoid of noble impulses,
that it prompts them to push another
man when he is down and decry his
honest efforts to reform. I have
enough faith in humanity, however,
to believe that the general disposition
among men is to help onward and not
to exult over their misfortunes. The
good in all things is supreme over that
which is bad and there are enough
good people in any community who
will see that even an ex-prisoner is not
unjustly treated.
Investigation of such cases as the
one referred to generally discloses the
fact that something is wrong with the
man. There is always some reason for
his being Swallowed or suspected be-
sides the fact of a previous conviction.
These stories are always one sided af-
fairs and should not be believed The
experience of others has been, that so
long as we work, do what is right and
attend strictly to our own business, so
long will the world lend helping
hand. They have found that there is
strong instinct in human nature to feel
sorry for fellow mortals who are down
on their luck, rather than to condemn
them for errors of the past. They find
also that there is an almost universal
belief in that beautiful maxim, "To
err is human, to forgive divine" But
when man commences life anew by
summing himself on the street corners
with no visible means of support, why
then, in view of his past, the authori-
ties are justified in arresting him. He
must demonstrate his Willingness to
earn living by legitimate means, and
he cannot do that by remaining idle.
ldleness or booze is, | believe, the great
trouble with all these fellows who cry
and whimper about not being allowed
to live. 1t is another way of abusing
that liberty which we all claim to love
so much.
All men are sinners, but being dis
tinguished as suckers who were caught,
we cannot expect to be met by brass
band and committee of leading citi-
IEens. Nor should we start out being
discouraged by the disheartening tales
of men who were unable to make good.
Before you start, plant. your standard
high and let your aim be to raise your
self above the level of the crowd.
Through your best friends you will suf-
fer some binding blows, but pass them
by as cruel jests inspired by stupidity
and ignorance. Too many of US give
up hope and accept defeat at the very
first snub. We sink in despair when
we should swim in hope. Push, dig
and elbow your way to the front, but do
it in legitimate and a gentlemanly
manner. Make it plain that you are
in earnest and there are those who will
commend your efforts and praise your
ZEAL Yes, this praise will be as well
come as the cooling breeze on hot sum-
mer day. Disappointment and discour-
agement may leave their impress and
dent your heart but don't give up the
ship. Above all, never doubt your own
ability to win. Self-confidence is a
re-assuring element in the midst of
every heartache.
This life is not bed of roses, no
matter where we are. There are hard
knocks in every walk of life, but it is
worth living Just the same. 1t is worth
living right. The path of righteous
ness is often strewn with rocks but
they roll away at sight of man with
a fixed purpose and a determined step.
We must all get around to the right
idea, and we will some day, of consider
ing that the rewards of life are to be
earned only by good behavior and obed-
fence to the laws of nature. Then only,
are they rightfully ours. No logic on
earth can place crime and on an annal