The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-11-30

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messages of love and friendship con-
tributet to a patient bearing of our self
incurred misfortune. Truly, these
fortunates have much cause for thank
fulness. And there are others who have
no friends, or who have managed to
keep their relatives in ignorance of their
sad fate. 1t is very possible that these
men also consider themselves fortunate,
and are very thankful for not having
involved others in their misery.
1t is but natural that every prisoner
should have the utmost longing for
liberty. While in prison, we are apt to
paint in our imagination the out
side lifein the most roseatic colors, and
prone to underestimate the many trou-
bles, adversities and misfortunes we
had to contend against when we were
free ourselves, and which finally landed
us in the place where we are now. There
are men here whose sentence will soon
expire, or who have reasonable expec-
tations that parole, or perhaps even a
pardon, will be granted to them in the
near future. With what good resolu.
tions will these men look forward to
their new life! They feel sure that
they are now cured of intemperance
and other bad habits, which have been
the cause of their downfall. Let us
hope that they will not be disappointed.
And, yet, the statistics of all civilized
countries prove with unerring certainty
that shockingly large percentage of
released prisoners are unable to make
proper use of their liberty. A blighted
reputation, lost character, and a tar
nished name are blunt weapons with
which to fight against the temptations
and passions which beset the paths of
the ex-prisoner on all sides. Many
make good fight and succeed. Every
man in prison believes he will succeed
when he is free once more. He does
not know so positively; but he hopes
so. And this hope, kind reader, is the
point you want to bear in mind. Hope
is the greatest blessing kind provi-
dence has given to mankind. A person
who loses his money, need not feel
very unhappy; but a person who has
lost his honor, has lost great deal. A
person who has lost hope, has lost his
all and everything, and is miserable be-
yond redemption. Fortunately, it is
not even imaginable that man can be
entirely without hope while life lasts.
When man is on his dying bed, and
looks back upon the shallowness of his
own life and of that of all other men
be they ever so rich or poor, he still
looks forward with hope to a future
and brighter life. Even the unfortunate
being who does not believe in hereaf-
ter, hopes for oblivion, for rest. Hope
there is always, under all circumstances.
Have you not cause, kind reader, to be
thankful for the seed of hope a merci-
full and loving Father has planted in
your heart?
We cannot be truly thankful if we
underrate our own faults, and magnify
those of other people. Repentance and
self-recognition alone can lead to our
salvation and better conditions. With
the faults of others we have nothing
whatever to do. And few words to
you, kind reader, in the outer world.
We do not want your pity; but would
fain like to have your sympathy. The
men behind these bars may have sinned
grievously against the laws of God
and men, for which they are now pay
ing the penalty; but you would make a
sad mistake if you would set them all
down as really bad men. There is many q
man in prison fully worthy of sympathy
and who has succumbed only through
force of circumstances and through
weakness of character There are many
habitual criminals, but there are very
few degenerates, no matter whether
Prof. C@sare Lombroso insists on it, or
not. Have kind thought of the un-
fortunate prisoners when you enjoy the
Thanksgiving Of 1905l
In conclusion the writer wishes to
say that, if this article has contributed