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toiaittiSSSafifikJAkiUfc ©ljp lUtrror Entered at the postoffice at Stillwater, Minne sota, as second-class mail matter: The Mirror is issued every Thursday at the following rates: One Tear SI.OO Six Months <SO Three Months .25 To inmates of penal institutions per yr. .50 Address all communications to The Mirror, Stillwater, Minn. The Mirror is a weekly paper published in the Minnesota State Prison. It was founded in 1887 by the prisoners and is edited and managed by them. It aims to be a home news paper; to encourage moral and intellectual im provement among the prisoners; to acquaint the public with the true statue of the prisoner to disseminate penological information and to aid in dispelling that prejudice which has ever been the bar sinister to a fallen man’s self redemption. NOTICE TO INMATES Each inmate is accorded the privilege of sending one paper home, or to friends free of charge. To do this you should write your own name and register number and the name and address of the person you wish to send the paper to, and hand same to your officer. If you desire to send more than one paper, each additional copy will be charged for at the rate of 50 cents a year. The paper delivered to your cell each week must be kept clean, and should be folded in the same manner as you receive it, placing it at the foot of your bed on the morning fol lowing the day on which it is delivered to your cell. _ LETTERS TO BOARD OP CONTROL All inmates desiring to write to the State Board of Control will notify their officer, who in turn is requested to send your notification to the Deputy Warden’s office Friday noon in order that special paper for that purpose may be furnished you. Letters written on regula tion size paper will not be permitted to go. J. J. Sullivan, Warden. NOTICE —Contributions submitted to The Mirror for publication must be absolutely original; if not original, proper credit must be given, if known; if writer’s name _is not known, it should be so specified by said con tributor. Should contributor fail to comply with this request he will henceforth be dropped from The Mirror’s contributing staff. Approved by Warden. —Editor. Don’t refuse to do anything because you can’t do everything. A man cannot touch his neighbor’s heart with anything less than his own. “Do little things as though they were great things, and you will live to do great things as though they were little things.” CHRISTMAS SHOW Unexpected pleasures are always the most enjoyable. This truism was full}' exemplified on Monday morning when the New' Palace Theatre Players of St. Paul, entertained us with an excellent perfor mance. The show was given under the personal direction of Mr. J. O. Hooley, manager of the New Palace Theatre of St. Paul, assisted by Stage Director Sidney P. Payne, and the New Palace stage em .ployees. The little Symphony orchestra of the New Palace Theatre, consisting of Verne J. Rooney, director and violinist; Robert Schenck, piccolo; Fred Woodward, -bass; Phil. M. Foldoe, clarinet; Frank C. Nowick, cornet; Otto Walters, trombone; Maurice Kneissel, drums; accompanied the theatrical performers and provided the ■orchestral music for the occasion. Our thanks goes out to the institutional man agement, also Mr. J. O. Hooley, manager of the New Palace Theatre and his capa ble assistants, and especially to the players who were so kind as to give us so much of their time and ability, in turning what would have been a forlorn day into one of joy and happiness. We should like to ex patiate on the merits of each of the players individually but if we were to devote the entire, space in our publication to it, we could not begin to tell what we thought of the players, or the enjoyment they gave us. Words are inadequate to express our grati tude so we shall not attempt to do so, but on behalf of the inmates we wish each and every one who assisted in making the day such a memorable one, a Happy and Pros perous New Year. Following is the program: Musical Selection, New Palace Orches tra, Verne Rooney, Director. Lani and Lani, Hawaiian Duo. Musical Rowells. Joe Rolfe, The Swede. Bernice Fitsch, The Little Toe Dancer. Pitzer, Old Rube. Saxophone Duet. Ventriloquist and Family. Song and Dance Revue. The Crescent Comedy Four, presenting “The School Teacher.” Mr. Fred Webber, although his name was not on the program should be classed as a head-liner. His happy little an nouncements and witticisms in introducing the players and their acts, added much to the spice and merriment of the show. THE "LITTLE SERGEANT" “Baby” Violet Stroud who appeared in the Song and Dance Revue made her first visit to St. Paul in 1917 when the United States was feverishly conducting Liberty Loan drives, Red Cross drives, Belgium Relief drives and selling War Savings stamps. “Baby” Violet was in the midst of it and while in St. Paul assisted the Pioneer Press with its soldiers’ tobacco fund. Violet, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hastings Stroud, was born at Hastings, and it is said she started “enter taining” with the first breath she took. She used her voice to good advantage and is still using it as part of a song and dance review at the New Palace this week. Among some of the big things the little Miss has accomplished as told by a large scrap book containing letters and clippings from prominent people and newspapers all over the United States, is the sale of $7,- 000,000 worth of Liberty bonds; $2,000,- 000 worth of War Savings stamps; she raised $30,000 for the milk, candy and tobacco fund for disabled soldiers; secured $85,000 for the Red Cross; recruited 1,700. men for the army, and 1,200 men for the navy; was an authorized four-minute speaker and solicitor for the Red Cross and made 5,000 speeches in the United States for war work. She is the youngest active member of the American Legion and is a member of Post No. 2, Portland, Ore. “ABOUT TO RECEIVE” Truly, New Year’s Day should have been Thanksgiving Day, for it is that which we are about to receive for which we ask divine help to be truly thankful. It is a false and altogether a vain view to take of the beginning of the year to assume that it is the place for a resume of the errors or even of the accomplishments of the past twelve months. That should be the business of December 31 and of the days previous to it. Every year, in the spiritual sense, is a fresh beginning. New Years for us today is the beginning of 1922. The coming twelve months, or fifty-two weeks, or three hundred and sixty-five days are going to be very fruitful with the harvest of our individual and our collective efforts. The tale that is told on December 31st begins Monday. We should be thankful that we have these twelve months ahead of us, with all their promise of opportunity to be fulfilled, of aspirations to be made flesh among us, of faith and hope, to culminate in fruition. When God made man in his own image He endowed him with may qualities, but best of all He made man to have the same creative spirit. It is this quality in our selves to create that we most crave —it is this for which we fight, and when the desire for creation passes, then everything that is divine in man disintegrates and little but the brute is left. The child, building fanciful worlds with his own toys, the youth carving out for himself a future, the man striking on the face of the rock and making it to show the form of things, the parent training his child or surrounding him with the means of a bet ter and greater future —these are the ex pressions of Godliness in man. For us, of 1922, our raw materials are at hand, in the twelve months to come. We realize to be sure, that in the final account of December 31, next, there will be a myriad of things left undone that we might have done or that we yearned to do. But in the meantime, it is the doing that is the thing, and the holiday that we can allow ourselves must not extend a minute beyond the conventional Neiv Year. — Ex. CHRISTMAS MESSAGE For the twentieth time it is my rare privilege to come to you for a heart to heart talk on life. Of all the tasks of the year, there is none that gives me greater pleasure than the sending of my Annual Christmas Mes sage to prisoners. While this letter goes to one hundred and fifty thousand of my fellow men in bonds, I like to feel that it is a personal greeting to each one of you. Furthermore, in every one I seem to see a composite of the best in all. That vision will come true just to the extent that you recognize and obey the highest promptings of your nature. Behind you is the heri tage of Mother love. Before you is the endowment of divine Fatherhood. Between these two, let me convince you, there is such a thing as human Brotherhood. It is because of that brotherhood that the Central Howard Association has, for twenty years, offered its services to every man w’ho comes out of prison with the genuine purpose of making good. It is for this reason that it has . had the co operation of thousands of friends, employ ers, supporters and believers in its mission. All these friends of ours are friends of yours. Then think no longer that you are forlorn, forsaken and alone in the world. At this Christmas time be grateful for the help at your command, and for your own God given resources. The birth of Christ can be for all the perpetual coming of God into human con sciousness. The spirit, of Christmas, which is the spirit of giving, should be the cri terian of all the coming year. The observance of seasons and the com memoration of places but emphasize the partial and relative character of all things temporal. It is the newly awakened life w’hich abides, and that is the substance we seek. Whether we know it or not, our seem ing desire for change is but a part of the inherent prompting to seek the unchang ing, the infinite, the eternal. If we only knew it, the fulfillment of this constant desire is not far from every one of us. It will draw nearer as we approach. It may be found in the prison, in the street, upon the sea, or it may be missed anywhere. There is no need to travel, or to be some one else in order to find it, for “the King dom of heaven is within you.” “There is no need to fear Since God is near For God is everywhere And He is here.” That this great fact may be realized in practical ways, and in every day life, is certain. It is the best medicine for physi cal or mental suffering. It is the solvent for selfishness, self-reproach or self-pity. Let me help you find this way to a bet ter, bigger, and happier life. Write me of your needs and hopes. Address me. at 1846 Transportation Bldg., Chicago, and I will take pleasure in responding. With all good wishes for the coming year, I am as ever, : Sincerely yours, F. Emory Lyon, Supt. The Central Howard Association Chicago, Illinois, December 15, 1921. Wf regret that the above was not re ceived in time to publish in our Christ mas issue.— F.d. For the benefit of any inmates who appre ciate and see the opportunity that their spare hours give toward a means of self education through correspondence school courses, study of good literature, acquiring an education in our Night Schools, or, who need helpful informa tion in connection with their work in our var ious departments, will herewith be privileged to use the “Query” column. You are wel come to send in any queries of serious interest to yourself, The Mirror with the kind col laboration of Miss Miriam E. Cary, Super visor of Institutional Libraries, will gladly endeavor to supply the requested information. NOTICE —In order to regulate the conduct of this column inmates must sign their name, register number and lock number to all queries submitted for publication. Inmates names, of course, will not be published, only the initials of each querist being used. —Editor. Q: —(1) What is the approximate dis tance in miles by railway, Stillwater to Los Angeles, California, and which is the shortest route? (2) Would an American born citizen now holding a United States Custom House passport be subject to the passport tax, now being imposed upon tourists traveling to foreign ports, even though he is a former seaman, or does this apply to people traveling to foreign ports only?—E. D. S. A:—(1) (Referred to Information Bu reau, Union depot, St. Paul). 2,433 miles from St. Paul. The Northwestern (C. k N. W.) via. Omaha, Neb. (2) Yes. Q: —Will you kindly tell me in the next issue of The Mirror the meaning of the word locality and how it is used. — R. O. B. A:—Quality or state of being vocal as the vocality of a sound. Q: —(1) What is an Oil-Pull motor; by whom are they made, and for what purpose? (2) Which is the more compli cated, comparatively speaking; the tele phone system of New York City, or the nervous system of a human being?— G. C. D. A:—(1) (Referred to the Reference Department, St. Paul public library). There is no .mention of an “oil-pull motor” in the standard reference books. “Oil-pull motor” is used as a trade name by Ad vance-Rumley Co. of LaPorte, Ind., for their oil burning tractor. (2) In New York the two systems are so closely con nected one with another, that it is impossi ble to obtain authentic information as to which is the more complicated. Q: —Please translate gemutlichkeit in English.—C. H. B. A:—Kindly disposition; good nature; heartiness. A:—How many times is the word duty found in the Bible, and what chapters? —S. A. A; —Ecclesiastes: 12th chapter; Luke: 17th chapter, 10th verse; Romans: 15th chapter, 27th verse; Exodus: 21st chapter, 10th verse; Deuteronomy: 25th chapter, sth verse; Ezra: 3rd chapter, 4th verse. Q: —(1) Will you kindly inform me through the query column why a woman’s brain is lighter than a man’s? (2) What is the weight of a man’s brain? also of a woman’s? —A. P. L. A:—(1) Because on an average a woman’s head is smaller than a man’s. (2) The brain of man is usually heavier than that of woman, although at birth and at the age.of 14 the female brain is heavier.. The average weight of the male brain is about 48 oz.; of the female 43J4 oz. Taller and heavier persons have usually heavier brains. Weight of brain, however, has no direct relationship with intelligence, as idiots’ brains are known that weighed as much as those of many of the ablest men. Intellectual capacity consists in the great multiplicity of nerve connections. Brain power can be developed by exercising (using) the brain, just as you can develop any other part of your body. Continual neglect or non-use of the brain means that it is only a question of time when it will become atrophied and incapable; therefore, it behooves all of us to exercise our brains and this is done through study. Remember —that in life we either advance or rqtard, there is no such thing as remaining stationary. NOTICE —All inmates using the Query Col umn and desiring more detailed information to their queries are invited to use the splendid reference, books in our library to be had on request. The International Text Books are especially complete in their information on technical subjects. Consult the Reference, Use ful Arts, Literature. Chemistry, Biography and Srience divisions of our library catalogue for diversified subjects. i. jm QUERIES NOTICE TO INMATES 4L. V