Evening journal., 1915-04-05
URGES UPDFT,
THOUGH IN prison
WorkhOuSe Occupant Tells
UnfortunateS to Work
for Higher Things
WANTS ALL TO
RESPECT GUARDS

The classes under the direction OF
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton and the Prisoners Aid Society at
the County Workhouse arc making
rapid progress. The men in general
show an oagerness to learn
The following composition was
written and read in the class. by one
of the prisoners. for the benefit of the
men, and is a good Illustration Of the
work that some Of the men are
capable of doing
GOOD CONDUCT ESSENTIAL TO
OUR HAPPINESS.
ITO my fellow schoolmates:
I'm the vornacular of our earlier
school days. this is composition
night and | have il upon good au-
| thority that number of us arc arm
cd with our precious documents,
thus complying with the simple re-
quest made by our teacher ON Mon
day night last
Before proceeding further. how
ever, | would state that il is no easy
task for one not altogether ncxpori-
encod in the art OF writing compost
tions, to prepare a paper suitable for
this occasion, yet, ! have endcavOrcd
TO write undorstandingly. and in the
simplest English, believing as / do,
/ that you will accept my little con-
| tributiOn TO our literary feast in the
spirit in which II is made.
What / most desire To imprcss
upon you tonight is the fact that il
VIC would find pleasant lives during
! our confinement here we must of
necessity assume a respectful attitude
toward our superior officers. and
properly observe the rules of the in
stitution, knowing, as we do. that the
slightest infractons of the same will
mean both punishment and humilia-
tion for us. Our department will
either make or mar our happiness: (:
we cannot expect 10 be looked upon
with favor by those i'm authority IL
we disregard the rules and regula-
tions laid down for our guidance, and
we should ever bear in mind that re-
sentiment viii not compel respect
from our officers and guards. any
more than knowledge will compel
purity. Let Il also be remembered
that our conduct be IL good or bad
docs not pass them by unnotcod.
Good conduct in here is just as os-
sential to our peace OF mind and hap
piness as It is were we on the out
side. We feel better and we arc bet
ter men for having done our duty.
I'VE arc not harassed by a con.
slant dread Of some impending evi
or some other form Of punishment
likely to be visited upon us. when W,
know in our hearts that We have com
mitted no evil. and Il We would escap,
these gloomy forebodings and be al
peace with ourselves we must make
the best of our surroundings and
earnestly strive 10 become better men
at the same time trying to urge upon
others the necessity OF right living
There is everything TO he gained by
retaining our self-rcspect during our
Incarceration here. When our terms
shall expire We will be better equip
ped for the duties of life IL We will
! but assert our manhood right here
and now, and show to those around
us that we can be gentlemen though
We are confined behind prison walls
Did you ever stop to think that what.
ever may be the opinion formed OI
our characters by those who are in
charge of us. that il will be so far
reaching as to extend to our loved
ones. who are innocent of any wronl
doing and whose lives have beer
blameless? Let us then, for thoii
sake as we'll as our own, so conduc
ourselves while here as To bring n,
reproach upon them. and follow 4
up when at last we have gained oul
freedom.
"There is much more that I Nigh
say along this line. but time is at
premium during school hours. sin
cerely trust. however, that what
have written NAV not be as pearls
cast among swine.' for ! verify helievl
that we all have in us the making o
good and useful men, and if We vii
go to the Lord i'm earnest prayer III
, will aid us in redeeming ourselves.
"In closing. ! would add:
Straight is the life of duty.
Curved is the line of beauty;
Follow the first and you shall sec
The second will ever follow thee"
!