The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-03-07


Six Months. so cents.
since witnessed the counterpart Of
such climaxes. Twill relate It, and it
may stimulate the belief in seemingly
"On my trips down thru Illinois I
used to visit small town called Troy;s
and while there stopped at hotel con-
Quoted by John Jason, a widower, and
the father of as bright young boy as
you would meet. The boy, when first
met him, was only about seven years
of age, and the pride of his father. /
visited this town about every four
months. On these occ asions used to
have a friendly chat with the boy
Jimmy, as he was called. He was at
the head of his class in school nearly
every time was there and it was with
some show of pride that he exhibited
his medals which the teacher gave as
merit rewards. One day he con6ded
to me that girl, Blanche-I forget her
other name-helped him to get his
lessons and laughingly added: The
teacher don't know about it and
Blanche she'll never tell 1t didn't
take me long to learn that Blanche
was usually we'll supplied with candies
and chewing gum, but never suspic-
ioned that the youngster was. tapping
the till to buy such things for her.
"As the years rolled by the young
couple became youthful lovers. JIM
my was in the habit of buying presents
for the girl and one day learned that
he had begun to bet on. horse races.
Seems Jason had bought the boy a
running horse, and. as Jason was gener-
ally busy, the boy began to do about
as he pleased. You know how human
nature is; if young person isn't
curbed in early years no telling what
his career may be. Well, the boy got
to betting on his horse; il he won, then
with other boon companions he would
indulge in midnight carousals. There
were many rumors about him but no
one had the heart, SO to speak, to tell
Jason; SO matters went from bad to
worse, until finally the boy became in
volved in trouble as the result Of
horse race.
81 was at Troy then and Jason be-
came so angry that he sold the horse.
A quarrel followed and the boy left the
house, going to large city. As all the
residents knew about Jimmy's carous-
ais there were but few good words fer
him, and those few came from the girl,
who at this time was working in q
store.
"a year or so later when was again
In Troy, news came that Jimmy was in
some trouble in the city. Those to
whom 1 spoke said: Its all you could
expect That seemed to be the general
opinion. His father refused to assist,
or even recognize him aud the boy
was sent up for term in prison.
Perhaps l am wrong but l always
! thought that the residents OF Troy
were to blame for the boys downfall.
Ii they had pOndered OH the question
they might have informed Jason OF the
boys dVlngs. Thus the father could
have moulded the boys character and
/; perhaps saved both from subsequent
disgrace. However, instead Of SO do
ing they idly watched the curtain roll
up on drama that was to plunge q
soul into one of life's pathetic trag-
) edies.
) GAS I said, in effect, the lad was not
, at heart a bad boy. All that was need
ed to instill into his mind a desire TO
become man among men was for some
: one to display little interest in his
a better impulses. You may imagine my
q surprise to learn that there was sin
gle person in the wide, wide world, who
would come forward to try to rescue
: the boy from life of evil-one by
d whom he would be guided. And that
one was Miss Blanche. Yes, sir, she
q unquestioningly, sent Jimmy money tt
: start life anew and begged him tt
brace up While he was in prison
= paying the penalty for some misdeed
q mind you, she did this and all she coulC
n for him. Hethen turned his spare time
. TO profitable study. And today, if
were to mention the name of one of oul
q foremost specialists, and tell you h
d used to be known as Jimmy Jason, al
{. around crook, you would scarcely be
q lieve me-yet, such is fact. Thus 20,
may infer that novelists, with thei
seemingly absurditiee, are but human
y beings portraying, as they conceive It
it some of the probabilities Of life" 8
n much for the views of Mr.. Fay; but Ii
! add: The more we become acquainte'
J ~ e. - 1;efC oy1A =
9 generally, the better we judge OF thei
,oI sS,-,tirco ERTD