The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-06-27

TERMS: Six SKIN Months. Ssns 81 50 aasaa.' cents.
astrians were hurrying here and there
A constant stream of humanity 1t
seemed. found myself wondering
There appeared before
me an ocean-a broad OCEAN of human
faces, each delineating various types
of humanity. Some great persons,
others were social outcasts. Still, be-
meath each face heart was beating.
l scanned the hearts of many, great
and small; noted many signs denoting
sel6shness, q few sympathetic tenden-
cies, some generosity, others love for
the poor, the weak, and the fallen;
observed few signs indicating gener-
osity as mode of personal repentance
for having tramped upon the rights
of fellow-creatures. Fascinated l
leaned out of the window. As did so
the ocean of faces appeared to assort
themselves. At first Imagined the good
were trying to get away from the bad.
In fact, such was the case, and those
considered as the bad, undesirable
classes, were thrown together. Fixing
my gaze at the segregated masses I de-
tected many good impulses among the
so-called bad class, and many evil I'M
pulses among the supposedly good
class. marveled much at this separa-
tion, but realized its possibility due to
the impossibility of reading, as
seemed to, the hearts of individuals.
"One of the outcasts finally glanced
first at his companions, then at those
some distance away. Silently he
made his way TO the good fold. He was
welcomed by some, but scorned by the
majority. He endured contempt for
awhile, because of encouragement re-
ceived from others. Some struggled
to regain lost confidence and promi-
nence, but in the end were over
whelmed by the tides Of public opinion;
while few satisfied with their lot pur-s.
sued right living regardless of the
opinion Of others. Spellbound, I con-
tinued to gaze at the ocean of faces.
l wondered if people imagined that
they were destined to equally inherit q
promised land when they failed to con-
tribute one mite towards the better
ment of mankind! In disgust drew
back; was about to close the window
when, all of sudden, the air grew
chilly; the ocean of faces seemed to be
lashing as waves against shore; out
of that sea of faces voice shouted:
Come back again!' l recognized the
voice-it was hers! Eagerly l again
leaned forward. glanced among the
good to catch glimpse of my hearts
idol. She was not therel The light
ming flashed; the thunder roared; the
waves dashed high, then rolled away,
yet, saw her face-for one moment.
; Among the goodY Alas!-but-well.
"Many years passed since that night,
and wandered far and wide search
ing ever for the girl whose silent ap-
peal to come back again had so deeply
overshadowed my lite. But my efforts
were III vain. One day, in despair
ing mood, l committed an unlawful
act that landed me behind the bars.
!. How it came about scarcely knew,
However, I relinquished hope, lost all
ambition, and imagined myself lost to
all human aspirations. When in this
frame of mind one day received a
missive; in part, it read: Dear friend
Clinton: know that you sought long
for me while lodged you; but now
7, the opportunity has come when you
: need q friend. You know my life has
I been overshadowed by troubles and
: sorrows; yet, will you come back when
freet' The letter, you may guess, was
Q timely and-well, old friend, as thu
: girl who passed long ago is now all thu
Q world to me l should be pleased tt
have you accompany me to the hote
:, and meet her-my wife,"
+ A few minutes later l was intro
8 duced to Clinton's wife. We spent al
l enjoyable evening together, while
It can only guess at their past, still,
It concluded that true love, sincere affec
It tion, and thorough preparation for tn
: better life is part of the results o
Q trouble, sorrow, and disappointment
t. And as for Clinton's vision Of the oceal
q Of human faces, the signs Of humal
10 hearts-well, those who have tro'