The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-11-27
WHY ARE YOU HERE
THIS THANKSGIVING
By Hemp

BY Hemp
Why are you here? If we should
ask this question of each man in
the institution, what would be his
answer?
The contributed causes would be
manifold. On a momentary i'm
pulse some would attribute their
downfall to home surroundings;
others to evil companions, irreslstl-
BILE temptations, poverty, drink and
score of various causes.
First, we will eliminate the habit
ual wrong doer, the one who will
fully premedltates his breaches of
the commandments of God and the
laws Of society. If in the catego-
ry of psychological research there
is such human, as an hereditary
criminal, then to this class we must
assign him. and leave his fate TO be
gambolled by our scientists and
penologists.
Let us carry you back year, two,
five or ten years to that Thanksgiv-
ing Day when, if you were not al
ready at home, you were going there
from the city or from college. Per-
haps some had no home to go to-?
But what were the conditions? At
home was there a wife and children;
or a loving mother and stern and
proud father and brothers and Sis
ters to make the day one of hanks
giving and joy? Or if yvu were out
in the world alone were the environ
ments such as to make you happy
and be thankful to your Creator for
the blessings bestowed upon you.
You say the atmosphere at home
was not inviting. Your parents were
poor; your father was idle most of
the time, he drank, beat you and
abused your mother. Any place
was more congenial than home. You
had no place to spend your holidays
and evenings; consequently you hied
yourself to the "poor-man's club
the saloon. There you found friend
ship, good cheer and willing associ-
ates. Being a stranger with little
money you were the idol of the ca
joling crowd-you have found a
haven of enjoyment; you talk, and
you DRINK. With the crowd
you depart from the club''--ad-
journ to the railroad yards. or to an
old shack. or to an alley. One Of
the crowd makes frequent trips to
the club" Again YOU sing, dance,
tell disgusting stories and DRINK.
As the trips to the club" multiply
your brain begins to mystify. The
money of the crowd is soon exhaus-
ted-it must be replenished, a temp.
tation presents itself and you must
have DRINK.
Again, at home there is dear
loving mother; father who idolizes
you; sister and brothers who are
proud to call you brother. The very
best the exchequer will supply is
prepared for the day of thanksgiv-
ing. All is sunshine and happiness;
you spend day of perfect bliss and
contentment. You go back to your
studies or work with joyful and
buoyant heart. You mingle with
the elect of city; you attend their So
cial gatherings; go to the theater;
take automobile rides and as slight
diversion you chance few dollars
on game-you lose-you take an
other chance and lose again; your
salary is soon gone, you have debts
that must be paid; you take few
dollars belonging to your employer;
you will repay It tomorrow; but,
again you lose and once more you
risk your benefactors money, but
the wheel of fortune is against you;
each day your obligations to your
employer becomes greater and great
er and to alleviate your trouble and
worry you resort to DRINK and
at last there must be an accounting.
You say your father died when
you were very young. Your moth
er was respectable but poor and it
was necessary for you to contribute
your earnings for the support of the
family. By this stigma CD you
were compelled to associate with
your equals and their only enjoy
ment was the frequenting of dance
halls and pool-rooms which eventu-
ally led to the saloon where at FIRST
ro.. r.,o.4 ALL. a Hor. r, ola. LII a c