The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-08-26
Diverse Reflections
. = BY ERID . =

Authors of articles dealing with
life behind the bars may draw
various descriptive pictures of dis
cipline, system, and the provisions
the State has made to look after
the best interests of the prisoners,
but only those connected with a
prison, or one who has served time,
can begin to paint the conditions
of life in "durance vile"
No one can determine how far
he is from the River of Gold but
everyone knows it flows closely.
We are living by moments while
planning for long continued So
journs here below The logical
result is useless worry about the
present and the future. It is SEEM
ingly impossible for the average
person to practice those lessons
taught bysnature and familiar to
persons in general way. Every
one is created to live until called
t Beyond. And while this is true
the person who cultivates high
ideals realizes higher enjoyment
from life than those of careless
WAYS. Live while living: not exist
while breathing.
"Iron bars do not a prison make"
This timeworn adage is applicable
to but about forty per cent of per-
sons behind the bars. This aver
age may be greater, may be less.
To fulfill such an adage personal
struggle seems necessary. One
must learn to view in silence re-
ports of struggles of loved ones,
being unable to aid them save by
letters of encouragement and time
ly advice. In return for such
manifestation of interest and en-
couragement to the friends or
loved ones out in the world come
regularly or irregularly letters
which keep prisoners hope alive,
cheer him and withal smite him
by causing thoughts of servitude,
reviving scenes and recollections
he would fain forget. Today he
learns of loved one sick and un-
, able to be up about. Until his
l writing day rolls around he does
3 his daily task with his mind far
I away. At last the writing day
comes. He pens cheering, COM
8 forting letter. Before it reaches
it's destination he may receive I'll
dings that the loved one has been
visiting for several days and hav-
ing a lovely time. These expert
. ences teach him patience and to
8 let time intervene before forming
strong conclusions; and it teaches
4 him not to report his own spells OF
: illness to loved ones to cause wor-
ry for feeting causes. Today we
] may see prisoner seemingly care
a free as he begins his daily task.
< Before night:he receives visit from
a mother, wife or relative. They
have come to cheer him. They
greet each other joyfully; the part
ing time comes and with it tears
of sorrow. The loved one is soon
If out in the sunny air with many
L means of reviving cheerfulness.
But the prisoner returns to his
t. task sorrowful for days afterwards.
9 Again he has the mental sus-
3 pense of hope from appeals to drag
o through wearying months awaiting
Z a decision. Even an unfavorable
2 decision brings al mental relief.
For those who endure these trials
3 with wavering emotions, iron bars
3 assuredly do a prison make. To
IS the prisoner who endures these
. trials calmly and realizes his exact
3 position he forbids his loved ones
. regular visits to save them unneces-
t: sary worry and himself also. The
IS cycle of time rerolves, he makes
g profitable use of his spare time;
20 returns tosthe world with manifold
70 lessons derived from reflections in
Is solitude; man ready to face the
world knowing that those who may