The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-10-27
Thinks on Things
By ! 0sl1lg Steady.

SUCCESS ID always que TO WOIt0y
efforts, never to chance. Fortune
favors only those who toll.
Of the many excellent and BEN
efcial means provided by the State
for the entertainment of the in
mates of this institution, it is in
deed doubtful if any other is Leld
in such high favor, or generally
appreciated more than the prison
library. This is due to two reas-
ons: First, to the natural love We
all bear toward reading, of what
ever character our temperament
or inclinations may crave; second
~, to the most excellent variety Of
wholesome reading which is thus
brought within the reach Of each
and every one of the detained. AZ
the librarian truly remarks in this
issue of The Mirror, every author
OF prominence is represented.
To further consider the excel
lence of the selections made by
those instrumental in bringing the
best publications within our reach,
we may Justly conclude that
amusement was not the sole object
in view. Plutarch once said: 1--WE
ought to regard books as we dosweet
meat; not wholly to aim at the most
pleasant, put chiefly to respect the
wholesome; not forbidding either,
but approving the latter most"
With this sage remark for the
guide of the reader, and with a
desire to derive as much benefit as
possible from the selections made.
we will be brought to some idea
of the influence for good the local
library may exert over all who
patroDize it with these objects in
view-for here may be found the
most wholesome reading n the
field of literature.
Nor does the influence of a good
book end with the reading. Long
after the work has been laid aside
we find still clinging some of the
n bler sentiments it contains,
which eventually become part Of
our lives and influence and direct
our actions. Still further and more
beneficial results way be hoped for
through the cooperation of the
readers of The Mirror in bringing
to the attention of each other books
which they themselves have found .
interesting and beneficial. In de-
voting department of the paper
to the discussion of Books Worth
Reading, The Mirror has hit upon
an excellent means by which the
local library may exert a still great
er influence for good upon those
accustomed to seek the best liter
allure obts Unable, and at the same
time bring the less fastidious read
ers to follow their examples, event
ually resulting in benefit to all.
Next to reading and enjoying a
book is the faculty to understand
and remember the truths it con.
tains. Unless we can do this the
effort results in SO much time vast
ed. Again, the object of The Mir
ror is to encourage local writer's.
Thus We arrive at a point where
the patrons of the local library
may secure the most good out of
every publication; bring others to
a knowledge Of it's merits and at
the same time gain a little valuable
experience in writing and express
ing their thoughts. As the editor
says: eff you read good book
write and tell us about it; tell Why
you found it interesting and con-
slider it beneficial In order to do
this the reader must necessarily
and remember the facts
which means alone
ne can secure the greatest good
from the book read.
The department of Books Worth
Reading should be popular with
he inmates. It will greatly aid
n solving the chiefdifficulty which
,onfronts t he beginner: that Of