The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-05-02

happy, care-free, barefoOted boys wend-
ing my way along life's pathway as
listlessly as the silvery stream ofsparkl-
ing water that constantly flowed along
between the rugged-edged banks that
had formulated themselves in the out
skirts of my native village. There my
governor impressed upon my youthful
mind. the somewhat startling informa-
tion that ], not being lily, would have
to spin, or toll. "Now,' said he, 81
have decided to give you an opportu-
nifty to fit yourself for the noble profess
sion-Law." Accordingly, /, one day,
discovered myself perusing sheep
bound volume of Poe's incursion into
curious realms of Imagination. The.
governor made the same discovery at
about this critical stage, and made the
palpitating air assume blush hue pc
cnliar to the earth's great roof-the
sky. The result was that l politely,
yet forcibly, Informed the presiding
head Of our household that 1 would
forego toll and spin around in the world
of men. My desire was to attain su-
preme happiness. Alas! had but
known it in time, l was leaving the
contributory source of happiness behind
me-home, friends, and the girl-but
all the world looked rosy to me then;
now my sorrow is past the picturing
power of the mighty pen.
"I have re-lived thousand times
that home-leaving day. The governor
was sure mad when l left the Office,
but time would have healed the breach.
However, l hurried home and after
dOnning my best suit wheeled my
wheel out of shed. Mother came out
of the house and inquired about my
destination. lied to her for the first
time. / passed down the sidewalk to
the road and was about to mount my
wheel when my sister, accompanied by
my sweetheart, came along and they
too, wanted to know where was going
to. Well, sirs, 1 just lied again. Thus
you see / was preparing for q worldly
life.
"It was but few days until I was
employed In an Office in the city of x
1 was doing 6ne,3 thought, for afte1
the days work was done there were
congenial spirits to have a good time
with. One Of these fellows worked
alongside Of me, and proved to be {
tempter; for, after an unusual joll.
night l found myself very much II
need of money. My comrade suggested
that I purloin the necessary amour
from our employers cash box. So learn
ing from him how easily could late
replace the amount without arousinI
suspicion, / helped myself l had re
peated the operation several time
when the blow finally fell wa
trapped Subsequent events showe
, how l had simply been a tool, 5ecaus
my tempter had purloined several hun
dred dollars and, of course, caused m
, to be trapped, throwing all blame o
Z me. l protested, but it did no goo(
. The word of a little thief, found ou
> has little weight beside the word of
!. big thief who hasn't been caught wit
: the goods on him. Being too proud
appeal to relatives, went to prisol
y Thus my quest after happiness led m
into crime.
l "'Like all things the sentence or
J. day expired and I, protiting by exper
Il ence, concluded to turn over ne
i leaf. By posing I soon secured wor
O in quiet little hamlet, where I 500
I won the confidence Of political leader
l. saloonkeepers, and men about tow
q As time passed confidence ripened in,
q affection for I was the possessor Of
J. few secrets and was q good fellow.
y also won the love of delightful mai
Is and our wedding day was nearin
q Happiness. thought I, will yet be min
D. but, as one said: "Man plans but Fa
l. decrees." Fate decreed that l shou
Is pursue other paths than those desire
a- to-for 1 was again found out. Tin
= after time resolved to try to becon
s. a man. No sooner would things asse
themselves favorably than would
h requested to make room for anotht
h asked no questions, but knew Il
X reason-some one had recognized y
II and put my employer next. On su,
ie occasions I would take my savings al
y fly to the haunts Of pleasure, the 'hou