davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

The song service held in the
chapel last Sunday was we'll atten-
ded. Chaplain Kennedy took for
his text the 148th psalm which
was very appropriate for the ser.
vice which followed. Before sing.
ing some of the hymns, Mr.. Ken
nedy gave a brief description of
their origin and the authors who
composed them. The inmates all
Joined in the singing, and when
Nearer My God to Thee" was
reached on the program, the sing.
ing increased considerably in vol.
ume, showing that there is a charm
to this familiar hymn that appeals
to all. There were an unusual
number of outside visitors present,
many of whom took part in the
singing.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
Workin9 Overtime.

The Irvine factory began work.
ing overtime Tuesday morning in
order to supply the demand of
those who want prison made Irvine.
There will be three hours of over
time work each day, and the
prisoners will receive ten cents an
hour and extra food for their labor.
The factory has turned out over
100000 pounds of Irvine this
season, and it has been running
at it's full capacity since the end
OF last seasons manufacture.
When volunteers were asked for
to do the extra work, all the
prisoners, with few exceptions,
signi6ed their willingness to as
sist in increasing the output.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

The new rsilaoad that is being
used to carry coal from the cars to
the ireroom was tried Friday and
proved to be great success. It
is not only economical but saves a
great deal of hard work in handl-
ing the coal. We tried to get a
free pass, but found that the Inter-
state Commerce Commission has
objected to the use of passes.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
Che Prisoners Joke.

In Guadaloupe prison there is
q convict with a highly developed
sense of humor and some imagin-
alton. The Libre Parole of that
island tells the story: "a mischie-
vously disposed convict in the
Point-a- Pitre Prison, knowing that
the Governor saw all the prisoners
correspondence, wrote a letter ad-
dressed to his mother earnestly ex.
horting her never to reveal the
spot where be had buried treasure
of enormous value. His ruse sue.
ceeded. He was relieved from all
labor, invited to lunch with the
Governor and bottles of cham.
payne were preached for his delect.
alton. Then came the day when
the Governor and the deputy
gently limited to the convict that
they knew all about his hidden
'treasure-all, that is to say, except
just where it was buried. The
convict at first was coy, but after
some days offered to show them
the tree beneath which the treasure
lay. When darkness fell the trio
set out. The searchers perspired
for some hours as they dug at q
spot indicated by the convict with
out discovering anything. At
length the search was angrily
abandoned and the convict marched
back to prison, where he threw his
fellow prisoners into commissions
of delight by his narration of the
affair." Ex.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

Sinbad discovered a large wasps'
nest in one of the greenhouses
during the latter part of last week.
He came very near putting one of
his big hands into it but happened
to see it just in time. While the
nest was being destroyed a small
sparrow Lit near by and was in
stantly stung to death. The wasps
also attacked one of Sinbad's rub
ber boots, but he expects they will
recover.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

and hit the breeze for home and
the melon patch. There were
about two wagon loads of melons,
and Hank at once began thump-
ing them to see if any of them
were ripe. He found one; my but
it was good; l can taste it to this
day. That night Hank told me
how We were going to get rich. He
said we would haul the melons to
town and sell them for fifty cents
apiece, and next year we would
devote twenty acres on which to
raise melons. Hank became very
enthusiastic and predicted that,
IN the next two or three years, we
would be known as melon kings.
Well, | used to get between my
blankets and build air castles in
my dreams that were something
fierce. One night, abouttwo weeks
after we got home, I went to bed
as usual dreaming about motor
boats, steam yachts, ETC., when
Hank woke me with a Jerk.
"Bub," said he, "don't make any
noise. Some coyote is in our
melon patch. Get up and bring
your pea shooter" When I was
ready we went out to the patch.
There was not a melon in sight.
Hank was terribly riled. He used
all the cuss words he could think
of, and then finished up with my
pedigree, just as if I was to blame.
Next day we rode over to the
county fair, and we saw Bill Bliv-
ings with two loads of melons that
resembled ours. Hank got sus-
plcious, and to draw Bill out he
began to speak i'll of the melons.
He said they were too small, looked
sour, and probably tasted like
pumpkins. OF course, Bill got
mad and said that they were the
biggest melons in the state, and
that they were from the patch be-
longing to the Lazy F boys.
Well, there was something do.
ing in minute, and Bill Blivings
got licked good and plenty for
helping to steal our melons. I
told Hank that he did wrong to
jump on Bill, because he hauled
our melons to town and thus saved
us considerable trouble. Hank
said that he did not lick him for
stealing, but for lying about the
size of the melons that he (BilD
had raised. 1906.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

The Usher has in his possession
letter addressed to Mrs. S. Grow
stra, Minneapolis, and signed j ohm.
All letters must be signed with
the writer's full name. The writer
will have to make himself known
before the letter will be mailed.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
Prison Population.

One arrival, three discharged on
expiration of sentence, and two to
leave on parole marked the changes
in the population for the past week.
The population of the prison is
685, distributed as follows: First
grade, SIG, second grade, 1872, and
third grade Z.
The last register number is 1904.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
Bank and bi$
meIon Patch,

Hank said I, one bright,
beautiful spring morning, "are
you working?"
20 no." he replied; "l'm only
playing. I'm turning this soil
over SO the sun can dry it."
Great Caesar! but it was comical
to see that bow-legged cowpuncher
blowing. He got about ten feet
when the point of the pillow hit a
buried stone; the handles flew up
ward and poor Hank went with
them. He came down rather
hard, and before I could ask him
to back up and hit the stone again,
in order to see if he would come
down in the same place, the horses
ran away and scattered pillow and
harness along the turnpike. After
we had captured the team and re-
turned to the field I asked Hank
what he intended doing after he
got the land broke.
SWELL, Bub, Bill Blivings drop
ped in the other day and helped
me eat a watermelon I had bought
in town. While he was picking
his teeth he wanted to know if 1
had raised it. I told him no.
Then he started to tell me about
the melons he raised out at his
place; said that some of them were
so big that all you had to do was
to cut hole in one end, scoop out
the insides with a shovel, and then
you could use the shell for hen
house. Now, I arm going to pull
verize that piece of earth if [ have
to do it with my fingers. You
write to thes agricultural depart.
ment at Washington for a few
packages of melon seeds"
By the time the seeds arrived
we had about an acre of ground
ready. We planted the seed &C.
eording.to directions, four seeds
in a hill, and five feet apart. We
fenced the patch so our stock could
not eat up the vines, and then we
joined the Lazy F round up.
During the latter part of
August we were paid of and Hank
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

For the information Of new arrivals
and all others desiring to send THE
MIRROR to friends we wish to say that
the privilege will be granted by COM
out your own name and register mum.
Der and send to this Office with name
and address Of person to whom paper is
to be sent. Each paper must be kept
clean and folded in the same manner as
1t Is when you receive 1t and placed in
mates are requested to comply with this
order whether sending out q copy or not.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

The chief engineer has informed
Us that anyone caught riding on
the breakbeams of his new rail.
road will be arrested. This was q
fling at ye editor, for he caught us
examining the beams while look
ing to see where the breaks we're
located.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

Night Turnkey Goldsmith has
been exhibiting to his fellow
guards lily that he raised and
which is in full bloom. It is unu-
sual to have lilies in bloom at this
time of the year, and MI. Gold
smith takes pride in showing the
result of his skill as horticul.
turist.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

Next Sunday will be Flower
Day. As customary on past &C.
oasions a special service will be
conducted by the members of the
w. @. Z. q. of this state. Miss
Rozette Hendrix, a well-known
temperance advocate, will deliver
the address.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

The following are the titles of the
papers to be read at next Sundays
Chautauqua meeting: Govern
ment Ownership of Railroads, -
Photography" "An Excursionin to
Poetry" and "A Plea for Historic
Landmarks"
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

Night Waterman Costello was
absent few days during the past
week OH account of illness. Mr..
Arsenault was temporarily doing
night duty during the formers
absence.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

Guard Philbrook has returned
from Rochester where he had gone
to have an operation performed.
He returned to duty this morn
ing.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

Supt. Williams has been con-
fined to his home for some time
on account of illness. He was
about the prison this week, but
has not entirely recovered from
the operation he had to undergo.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01

Captain Maish came very near
having a serious accident in the
tireroom last Friday afternoon
AS he was walking across the tres
tie he slipped and slightly hurt
one of his legs.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
Guard Wuderman is away on
sick leave.

The following transfers were
made during the past week: LOG to
81; lO3 to 429; $50 to 1O6; 256 to
hosp; SO to hosp.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
LOCAL NEWS.
Fourteen prisoners will be dis
charged on expiration of sentence
during this month.

A slight change was made in the
night dollhouse force. Mr.. Hill
was transferred to day duty and
Mr.. Lewis will BE- on nights.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
Use and Otherwise
BY G. A. Y. |

enlist predicts that we will all be
insane in another three hundred
years. These great men always
set the date far enough ahead SO
there can he NJ danger OF being
tripped; anyway if he puts it off
three hundred years what is the
use of worrying? Schmitz will be
out of Jail by that time, and all
the rest of us will be dead.
Occasionally I learn something;
only recently 1 accumulated some
additional knowledge of orthogra-
ply and zoology, and today I ran
across an explanation of the pro-
nunciation of the word "calliope."
This word has always bothered me
and doubtless others have SHE'D at
it as we'll; now remember hereafter,
that in speaking of the Greek
muse of epic poetry to pronounce
it callio-pe, but when you speak of
that steam abomination that tails
up a circus parade, pronounce it
just as spelled, calliope, with the
accent on the first syllable.
The Board of Visitors of the mil
itary academy at West Point has
endorsed a recommendation that
the curriculum of that institution
be broadened. This is sane move
and one that deserves to succeed.
There is something wrong with an
institution that in free democrat
ic country like ours, can take a
clear-lim bed, full blooded boy of
plain, everyday habits and tastes
and in four years make of him an
arrogant, cigarette-sucking snob,
who is not only ashamed of hisow
father and mother, but his country
as we'll; the naval academy at An
napoiis is but little better, either.
i An Indiana man lost his best
girl because he permitted a
"brakey" on an excursion train to
grab him by the collar and do
things to him without putting up
a fight. In consequence he has
sued the Big Four road for $4,000
damages, alleging in his complaint
that he was on an excursion train
going to Hamilton, Ohio, and that
he was pulled out of his seat by an
employee and roughly handled.
He was in company with his fiance
and she was so indignant because
he did not resent the affront, which
he could not do without danger to
others, that she threw him over
then and there. Good for the
girl! She is evidently determined
not to tie up to a mollycoddIe if
she can prevent it.
Frequently you pick up one of
the local papers, and after glancing
at the headlines YEARLY thrust it
aside remarking: Nothing in the
paper today. Did you ever stop
to think what that phrase nothing
in the paper today-means?" asks
the Carthage Democrat. "It means
that during the day or week just
passed no. misfortune has befallen
anyone in our city; that the grim
angel Of death has crossed no
threshold of friend; that no man
driven by liquor, hatred or fear
has taken the life of fellow hui
man; that no poor devil haunted
by the past or misdeeds of some
other, has crossed the divide by
his own hand; that many things
that ought not to happen have not
happened How many, many
times have we in the past made
use OF that petulant, disappointed
expression never once stopping to
think that it was the dearth of
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
CHURCH NOTICE.

Service in the Prison Chapel at nine
O'Clock every Sunday morning. Pro.
teStant and Catholic service every
alternate Sunday. Rev. s. j. Ken.
needy, and Rev. FIR. COrcoran chap
lains.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-08-01
Chapel Service.

The following is the program of
the service held in the chapel
Sunday, July 2Sth, Rev. S. j..
Kennedy Oficiatinu.
New-York tribune., 1907-11-03
EOPEWhRNED

We were sleeping for the first time under its
roof. Hardly had dozed off when I felt the
gentle impact of Maria's fist on my ribs and the
soft sibilance Of her whisper in my ear. Get
up John There's some one on our roof"
raised my head and listened attentively.
There's no one there" 1 announced, definitely.
Maria insisted there was; adding that there
were two Of them. and that one wore hob-nailed
shoes. My query TO the size of the shoes met
with no response. At last. TO satisfy her, arose
and went TO the little closet on the top floor
which marks the entrance TO our scuttle. In
one hand carried lamp: in the other an un-
loaded revolver. Twice ] called Who's there?"
and twice was answered only by the moaning
Of the wind as it swept along the chimney tops
I did not raise the scuttle lid; time for that in
the morning. Though fully regaled with the
details OF my expedition Maria remained awake
for at least four hours She told me about it
the next day.
In the morning we found an old felt hat on
our roof. Maria gIoated. Our neighbors son
claimed It later in the day. saying that he had
dropped it roof while playing on his own
some weeks previously.
Our burglars next appeared the front steps
about O'Clock of a frosty winters morning.
From her trembling place under the blanket
Maria could almost distinguish the words of
i
cOmplish even though / stood for three whole
minutes in the chilled vestibule with my ear at
the front door keyhole That we arose the next
morning 10 find ourselves alive our silverware
intact. and our doors securely bolted, Maria was
inclined 20 attribute to a renascence of the age
OF miracles. After that we were besieged no
less than three times week; sometimes oftener
Maria" said at last. what is it about a
burglar that you fear abjectly? If one wants
TO get into our place he'll get there. never fear.
Whatever he takes win be replaced by the In
surance people, anyway"
AND il he kills where we lie, ] presume
that VIII be liquidated by the insurance people
as welI-if either of us is here to collect il"
Tlds I'm Maria's most sarcastic manner
80 IL is bodily injury you fear? Why? Am
] not here?" Orr hero spoke these words with
calm confidence and fine fearlessness. Under
the circumstances Maria's responsive sniff was
hardly complimentary BluntIy she inquired
II q burglar saw fit 20 enter our room with a
loaded pistol ia his hand and ferocious scowl
upon his countenance-what would / do.
"Id Jump out Of bed and grappe him, where
New-York tribune., 1907-11-03

mark dolefully that she was sure our turn was
Nonsense" said I. having left the door un-
latched
The town clock bell had completed its dozen
peals, and were lying costly in our places
when there came a soft creaking on the hallway
stairs, followed by the muf1ed tread of footsteps
outside of door.
John" Maria whispered did you hear that p"
"What?' l asked, fearlessly.
Some one Is at our door. Go out and shoot
him. Oh-h-hr' The door opened softly and a
circle Of light was planted on the opposite wall.
Our visitor made straight for the bureau and
started TO fill his pockets.
rose in my place. Impressvely demanded,
What are you doing there. r-r-rascal?"
For answer he flashed the light into our faces.
My own was unruffied smiling even. On
Maria's l such look of frozen terror that
was sore tempted TO abandon our experiment
then and there. 1t was only by promise to Clar-
ence that impelled me to 1t through.
See here sonny" said he, he took my
watch. Get your thinking apparatus busy
locating where you keep the decent things.
This is junk The stuff I got down in your
dining room is enough 20 make anybody mad.
You ought TO be ashamed of yourself
"Out of my house this instant or by Heaven
you perish where you stand! Begone. villain.
Vanish! Vamoosei"
"Vamoose" was Clarence's cue to depart. In
stead of that, he strobe over to our bedside and
dealt me smart cuff the ear This was no
part of the agreement, and 1 fastened to voice
my demonstration
mot do what? ?" was the answer gruff1v pivan
THAT is funny. Ha, hal Keep quiet you fos-
sill or I'll run rapid transit tunnel right
through you" ball OF fire flashed into INV
eyes and felt the impact of cold steel ON nv
forehead
Spare us! Spare usr' came in mufled trem-
olo from under the blanket Give him that
500 you have under your pillow. John"
He did not wait for to give H. He pushed
my head aside and thrust his hand under the
pillow. AS the CLEAN of the lantern was turned
aside for an instant 1 caught glimpse of the
pistol as ii went by me- 1t was a tiny auto
matte revolver. And 1 had bought Clarence a
hors0 pistol
Give me your diamonds" growled the in
truder. Quick. or / shoot" My tongue claye
10 the roof of my mouth and my teeth ratified
AS speedily as could withdrew my head under
the coverlet and kept il there until the sound
New-York tribune., 1907-11-03
NOT THE ONLY ONE.

Shortly after o'clock enc bitter winter morning
a physician drove four miles in answer 10 a tele-
phone call On his arrival the man who had sum-
moned him sal
Doctor al [ in any particular pain but some
how other I've got feeling that death is nigh
The doctor felt the mans pulse and listened to
his heart.
Have you made your wlll?" he asked.
The turned pale.
why no. doctor: AT my age-oh doctor, It amt
true, is It? 1t can't be true'-
Who's your lawyer?'
''Higginbotham, but
Then you'd better send for him at once"
The patient white and trembling, went to the
phone
who's your pastor?" continued the doctor
'"The Rev. Kellogg Brown" mumbled the patient
But doctor, do you think
Send for him Immediately. Your father, too,
should be summoned; also your
But, doctor. do you really think I'm going TO
die2" The man began TO blubber softly.
The doctor looked at him hard.
NO. don't" he replied grimly. There's moth
ing at all the matter with you. But I'd hate TO be
this"-Pick Na Up "
New-York tribune., 1907-11-03

he stood. I'd put my knee his neck and
throttle him until he howled for mercy. I'd
pummel him with all my might. and leave him
lying inert on the floor while 1 went off to fetch
an ambulance in which to remove his battered
carcass-that is. of course, provided he was not
inconsiderate enough 10 take to his heels before
I had time to complete my vengeance" So that
due modesty might attend my claim, l vouch-
safed the opinion that all burglars are towards
at heart.
Indeed said Maria The submated sar
casm and skepticism contained in that brief
word determined me.
Ny prospective son-in-law. Clarence Colburn,
failed to evnce instant enthusiasm over my
plan even though ] offered to purchase on his
behalf the real thing in the shape of a mask,
jimmy and d lantern. Before he agreed 10 carry
out the part | had assigned TO him ! was obliged
to promise several things. First, the wrath of
his prospective mOther-in-aW must be appcased
by me- in case of the discovery of his identity,
at whatsoever expense. Secondly. my demon
strations OF bravery must be strictly passive and
largely oratorical. l might command him to de-
sist; to leave the house under threat OF speedy
apprehension; to abandon his plunder where he
found it-but I must not leave my place. was
not to touch the floor until he had full OppOr
tunity to clear the room. Lastly. my pistol
must remain unloaded-"in case "" get too eX-
cited. YOU know" These details fixed, we set
Thursday as the date and prompt midnight as
the hour Of our adventure.
Maria was very nervous that night. Three
evenings before the SambOrn house IN our street
had been entered and its contents removed to
part. unknown. That very morning had
leaned of two other burglaries in our immedi-
ate vicinity. Eagerly Maria scanned the obt-
uaries in the local journal; I fancy she
disappointed at the lack of funeral announce
rnents Before we finally retired she saw tit TO
recount all three affairs 'mosaicaly, and 20 re-
New-York tribune., 1907-11-03

him he was coming back. Said he came up
10 help you. good nerve. eh2 His partner
wasn't quite cool about it. l saw him run
ming away with a bag He was too quick FOR
me, / na0bed this one"
The captive removed his mask and showed us
his startled, white countcnance. Yes. 1t was
Clarence.
We have tried 10 explain matters 10 Maria.
Time and again We have assured her that ii was
all a joke perperated for her especial benefit
No use. Each time She rewards both of as
with cool stare and asks icily. Where then,
my coffee pot and my silver spoons and the
soup lade? Besides. she Invariably concludes
had Clarence been tho burglar she has small
doubt that l would have grapplcd him throttcd
him and pummeled him. Cola type does not re-
produce the possibilities lu-kinE IN her tone.
New-York tribune., 1907-11-03
MARIA'S BURGLAR.
Proof That Fe1U Women Haze a
Sense of HumOr.

He is called Maria's burglar because I hired
him oa her account. As the c ildren would say.
he not really burglar One glance at
his gentle frankness. his serene respectability
must have convinced you OF that fact beyond
peradventure. Moreover, he was my daughters
fiance. and no decent citizen, so far I am
aware would suffer an avowed lawbreaker TO
remain in his household in that capacity.
Maria's burglarphobia exhibited its first symp-
toms the night moved into our new bone
New-York tribune., 1907-11-03

of retreaung footsteps made known that the
burglar had gone
1t was Maria's voice that 1 heard as | emerged.
Her tones ! must confess, slightly hys-
tercal "Grappe him, throttle him. pummel
him, pummcl him. throttle him. grapple him"
She said this over and over again.
did not stop long 10 listen. | jumped out of
bed and made for the window | called for help,
and an answering whistle told me that my call
had been heard As / left the window I spied
some one coming up on the run. ] rushed down
the stairs and through the hallway. on the
porch ! ran into policeman. There was an
other man with him-hold tightly.
Here's your burglar" said the officer II got