The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-05-07
MEMORIES OF THE
HOME AND MOTHER
An Inmate Opens His Heart to Thoughts of
Happier Days, and Lives Again the
Scenes of His Childhood od-a Loving
Mothers WatchfuI Care.
By SIirers
By SHrers

Lille Is made up OF memories and
asperations; this is especially true of
inmates of penal institutions. Some
of us live wholly in the past, others
in both the past and future, but
one and all, we are builders of Gas
ties in Spain" To all of us there
comes some memories that we cher
ish more than others and these are
the ones of which mother is a part.
Mother! What a world of meaning
there is in that one word. What
man or woman is there whose heart
does not beat bit faster; to whom
there does not come a flood of pleas
ant memories at the mere mention
of the word? Mother-it takes us
back to the carefree happy days of
childhood; back to the old home and
how true are the words of that old
song:
BE it ever so humble,
There's place like home.''
During the long years since COM
ing here | have spent many hours in
the long silent watches of the night
thinking of the past and being boy
again at mothers side. Many times
have l been just little tot learning
over again to say that first prayer at
her knee:
Nov lay me down to Sleep
pray the Lord my soul to keep"
Many times in memory have romp-
ed about the large yard in front of
the big white house, past which lays
the dusty country road; just like
thousands of other country roads,
but which is still bit different be-
cause it is the road that passes
the house in which l was born.
Again | have seen mother out among
her flowers and seemed to smell their
sweet fragrance. Again have cut
or hurt myself and gone to mother
for her to cure it with kiss. Again
| have lain on a sick bed with moth
er as my only nurse for long weeks,
always at my side both day and night.
Again have | heard her prayer to
God to spare the life of her boy and
saw the look of joy on her worn face
wien she knew that prayer had been
answered.
. Leaving Home
And SO the film of memory flashes
swiftly by with each picture | see
myself bit older and mother bit
more worn with care and toll. Again
l seem to hear her pleading when
the world calls me from her side,
and l hear my reply that l will be
good and come home often; then
comes a memory which would like
to blot out. There is Dad with the
team all ready to take me to the sta
ton, a good bye kiss from mother
and we start; but just as the road
takes a turn that hides the house
from view, / look back and wave
my hand; mother waves back and
turns and enters the house, her
mothers heart breaking, but break
ing silently because it was my wish
to 90. Little did either of us then
know to what. or for how long.
Other memories come after that
but mothers letters are her only part
in them. for have never seen her
since. Several years past after leav-
ing home during which travelled
great deal; some times it would be
months between her letters and mine
to her. l married and found new
friends CD Mother was a part of
the past to be remembered when
| felt like remembering her, forgot
ten at all other times. Then came
trouble. Many miles from the old
home, my new friends began to dis
appear, my wife and a few were
time, and then moth
er came back into my life. After
my arrest and conviction she was the
first to write to me. | have her let
ter before me now and l shall always
keep and treasure it. Some parts of
it is almost unreadable because of
blots caused by falling tears. 1t is
not long letter, but the words are
those of mother whose only boy
has goue wrong; still she says, God
bless you my son, | still believe in
you." Since then not a week has
passed but what letter full of love
and faith has come to me- Wife and
friends long ago forgot. but mother
has not. Many times as l read the
brave words of love and cheer sent
to encourage me, to make the days
brighter and the years less long, l
Continued on page Two)