﻿LETTERS TO EDITOR  
 
Brown County Jail September 4 — Aberdeen American Editor — Am inclosing you several effusions which seem so ridiculous (here in jail) that I am in hopes they will create a smile on ye face of constant render and lighten their load of daily care. Also with view of touching your crusted heart to such effect that you will donate a copy of your esteemed paper for jail consumption. Beggin your pardon. Matt Arnold. (Model Prisoner) L. Box 124 Aberdeen 

ONLY A MOUSE IN JAIL 
A place is vacant in our home 
Which never can be filled. 
Remorseless fate in cruel hate 
Its squeak forever stilled. 
 
It may never have been a mother love;; 
A heart by sorrow wrung. 
That heard the call and gave its all; 
To save its starving young. 
 
We would not let it live in strife; 
Not let it die in peace. 
On want the chase from place to place. 
Oh when shall murder cease. 
 
It had no shot of any kind; 
It vainly ran a bout. 
With one fain squeal, beneath a heel 
Its tiny light went out. 
 
Thus on life’s doughtful honor roll 
Our names we (humans) carve. 
We do we care how rodents faer: 
Or if their young shall starve. 
 
Ah prisoners remark this rule. 
‘Tis life you have begrudged— 
And even as that mouse, alas— 
So you too shall be judged. 
 
The judge will play the game with you; 
You’ll tremble in suspense. 
You’ll find out too when he is thru— 
You hide is on the fence. 
Matt Arnold. 