The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-08-18

Impossible as it may seem many
worse things might befall a human
being than a term in prison. HUI
man nature is such as to make it
next to impossible for man de-
prived of his liberty 10 be happy.
In fact happiness, or even content
ment. is not one of the advantages
that prison life affords. Tales of
barbarous cruelty, handed down
from remote ages, or conceived in
the Imagination Of more recent
writer's have led to misconcep-
ton of prison life as it exists to-
day. 1t is not until unfortunate
circumstances force one into a po-
sition where he must become part
OF this life that true knowledge
of conditions are obtained. A cas-
ual, or even observant visitor learns
little of these conditions and GER
tainly nothing from the prisoners
point of view. The opportunities
for studying and improving the
mind while in prison are possibly
the greatest advantages that could
be hoped for and while these may
not be sufficient 90 induce the
ambitious man to enroll his name
with those of the detained, they
ought to prove a great incentive
to the unfortunates whom circum-
stances have thus fettered. Scarce
ly any other place or location could
afford man more opportunity to
think. The greatest trouble is to
be able to turn ones thoughts in
to the proper channel and then SO
occupy the mind with some worthy
effort as to afford no opportunity
for brooding over that which is be-
yond remedy. This accomplished,
some of the advantages that may
be obtained from prison life will
soon be appreciated. There is a
strong tendency in such a place to
ponder on the circumstances that
led up to the unfortunate condi-
ton. This should be overcome.
It will do no good and much harm.
Better, by far, to think of what
you will do when free again, as
thoughts will breed desire to
prepare yourself with view of &C
complishing the greatest good and
securing the most happiness when
such time does come.
| If those who are unable to raise
their minds off their own troubles
would follow this plan they would
lsoon find relief. Endeavor to con-
centrate your mind on the work in
hand. No one can perform task
properly and think of something
else at the same time. Always
keep busy and when these annoy
ing thoughts present themselves
Danish them from your mind until
the light is turned off in the even
ing. Then take yourself as seri-
ously as you wish. 1t will do very
little harm then. Nature will not
be denied and the melancholy rev.
erie will soon end in a happy
dream.
The chief desire of many in
mates seems to be to- find means
Of passing their spare time quick
ly and pleasantly. They look at
the time thus spent as time wasted
and do not seek for any possibili-
ties it may contain. The reading
they select is too often of worth
less nature, though many books of
a helpful character, by which their
store of knowledge might be great
lyincreased, invite their choice. No
one ever secured any special bene-
n fit from reading a novel of the
n cheaper sort while good book,
}. either history or biography, never
Q fails to leave good impression on
the mind.
A former local resident said up
on leaving these parts, "my sojourn
0 here will cause any other trouble
) that may overtake me in the future
Z to appear insignificant" True.
> aud ii the time spent here was