Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-11-16
Courage to Look
Ahead With JOu
and Expectancy

tact with folks from nearly all
walks of life either through per-
sOnal contact or letter writing.
Some of those letters are cheer
full and others are sad, depending
on the circumstances. Most of
the letters are from free men but
some are written behind prison
walls. Amongst the letters re-
ceived by Representative HAL
mar Petersen are some from state
institutions written by inmates
who seek help or advice. One of
those letters in a beautiful hand
writing, contains thoughts and
expressions of heart yearnings
that will set free men to think
ing. 1t further reveals what is
well known to prison authorities
that capable and intelligent men
are also to be found back of the
prison walls.
Believing it will be of interest
to readers of the American to
peruse the meat of letter from
an inmate it is published here
with:
1t may be odd of me to admit, that
l may have taken the imposition
made upon me rather more seriously.
and perhaps l may have done much
unnecessary yelling" in blindness
that should not have done, but, Mr..
Petersen, that is natural to a clear
conscience, for no man of such posses
sions likes to serve a term in a
prison, or see his loved ones suffer.
However, in the light of everything,
l can see that these men who did
have anything to do in my case, that
they intended the imposition not to
be bitter but benefcient exper-
fence available to recondition me, and
to make me fully comprehend and
enjoy the higher things of life They
have no desire to crush me. They
see this thing-as a new beginning
rather than sad ending.
My future happiness in life will
depend on how much benefit l have
derived from this experience, and
how l keep my thoughts and eyes
the trials and tribulations. What
will happen tomorrow will be the
result of what | benefit today. For
we can't get any more good out of
any experience unless we do contact
benefit, than we can get out of cleo
tricity if we don't turn the switch.
By deriving right benefit, whether or
not we merit the experience, the con-
tact can be made, which will profit
me with all the love, all the power,
all the courage, all the energy and
cheerfulness, activity, and kindness
of my fellowmen, to help me to
achieve a clean and honest career to
the end of my allotted time. Per-
haps it seems a little far-fetched and
improbable. but it will work. What
l mix in my laboratory will come out.
And if / am honest, truthful, cour-
ageous, cheerful and unselfish, that
formula will have its results. What
l expect will manifest itself in me
il l have rightly benefited from the
experience. My future is in my own
hands. I'm going to benefit rightly.
Please know what l have said to
you here, Mr.. Petersen, is said in
all humility and because l have
proved it, and | have seen many 9TH
ers in my career, prove it to a much
greater degree than have yet
achieved. However, l have peace of
mind and courage and the ability to
look forward in faith-eXpecting good.
My health is in very good condition,
which should always comfort me and
allow me to achieve happiness. 1 am
deeply thankful to any and all Of
ficials, for the kind patience that
they have shown with me in their
successful efforts to prepare me to
return amidst my fellowmen, very
much improved being, which gives
me strength to be happy under the
circumstances, with courage to look
ahead with joy and expectancy.