REST AFTEK TOIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 61

REST AFTEK TOIL.

The day is Hone, his labour o'er, He wanders slowly home, In sunshine or in storm Thankful to God for one day more! Weary and worn, burdened with toil, But not discouraged yet — Blessings one can't forget Throng his fond memory the while. Labour is not a curse — no, no! .' To work day after day, To sweat and pay one's way, Is honourable, and Reason wills it so. Night comes, and with it rest; It is sweetly desired By the worn-out and tired; And who work honestly sleep best. The toiler puts his tools aside, He sees bright eyes aglpam, And knows they're waiting him; — Thus dreaming, homeward goes with pride. At th' gate his wife and children stand To welcome his return; And soon his children run To meet and take their father's hand. How sweet the bliss of horne — A snow-white cloth is spread, " Bless God, our daily bread, And may we ne'er divided roam! " His work is done. INignt creeps O'er sea and land and sky; The stars keep watch on high, And with his loved ones th' toiler sleeps ! — H. A. COBBLEDICK. Otautau, November 1, 1900.'

— A very intei'esting report of an inquiry made by the Atlanta University (an institution for the higher education of the negro) into the position occupied by freed men in the United States as men of business has recently been published. It is estimated that there are 5000 American negroes with £100 or over invested in business, and their total capital invested is not far short of £2,000,000. There were over 17,000 negro barbers reported, 162 of whom were master-barbers, with capitals of over £100, and actually had £40,000 invented in their businesses. Naturally, the freed men drifted into the employments that had occupied them when slaves.