The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-02-06

strength to labor, or the education to
take clerical position. but when he
found he was not able to make the
living as expected, he was man
big enough, and morally strong
enough to come back rather than
violate his word and make others
suffer. He was his brothers keep
er, in it's best sense.
But we have the other side of the
picture. It is an old saying that
There is honor among thieves"
but am beginning to doubt it. Is
it much wonder that certain news
papers scoff at the parole system, and
do all they can to hamper the parole
board and those that are fighting our
fight and are holding the banner of
a square deal to the inside man up
to those that are out. When we see
twenty five per cent of those to
whom leniency is shown. one fourth
of those who gave their solemn
promise to make good for a certain
time, anyhow, one fourth of those,
who on their own request, have been
given another chance only to fail,
when we see this we have to bend
our heads with shame aud say, yes it
is they and such as they that are
their brothers. keeper, but this is not
in it's best sense, it is in it's worst.
They are the ones that keep many
another of us behind the walls, keep
many Of us in shame, keep many of
us from those we love and, who,
loving us. are watching anxiously
and eagerly for the wander's return.
Doc.," when he was with us,
created quiet a stir with a sentence
he wrote, that a repeater" sh ould be
kept here for life. I do not know
if I altogether agree with him, but
should like to see those that break
their obligations obligations t
only to the officials, but obligations
to us whose turn to sue for chance
to make good, in the great world out
side, will some day arrive-I should
like to see these, | repeat, have to
wear the stripes that adorn them for
the first month after their return, for
as long as they remained among us,
so that we might all know those
whom, for their own selfish pleasure,
are forgetting the great God given
command to be their brothers keep
err. To love their neighbor as them
selves;'' To do unto others as
they would that others should do un-
to them"
Boys, this question is up to us, to
each, individually. None can shrink
their responsibility; we are all units
in one great system. We are all
our brothers keeper.
II we, ourselves, will play fair I
have faith enough in this old world
OF ours to believe they Will play fair
with us. Let us do our little part.
No, not wait until we are out, but
right here and now.
Let me leave with you tn e
words by John Hay. They are bet
ter than anything | can ever hope to
write, words that have on many an
evening been a comfort of help 70
me when / have felt blue and for
saken. Simple words, but b y
touch the spot:
Don't waste your time in longing
For bright. impossible things:
Don't sit Supine1y yearning
For the swiftness of angels wings.
Don't spurn to be rushlight
Because YOU are not star,
| But brighten some bit of darkness
/ By shining just where you are.
There is need of the tiniest candle
AS well as the garish sun.
The humblest deed is ennobled
When 1t is worthy done.
You may never be called to brighten
The darkened regions afar:
So FILL for the day. your mission
n l. xss.s~ ss~-k k~~xv.