MIDNIGHT OIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12064, 20 July 1917, Page 8

MIDNIGHT OIL.

(By WALT MAROX.) When T was young, long years ago, ambitious hoy:-; I used to know, who yearned to seal", the heights; by day they plied the hoe or axe, until they sprained their weary backs; they studied book o' nights. They bravely burned the midnight oil. these tired, aspiring sons of toil. and haply they would say, " We are determined that we'll shine, as jurist, statesman or divine, before our heads arc grey.'' And scores of men who won the game, and climbed to honour, woalt-h and fame, in idle hours would tell of how through loner, cold nights they wrought, to store their minds with gem.s of thought, until the breakfast bell. Abe Lincoln thus learned how to score, and Garfield, too. and hundreds more to whom we point- with pride: the world admires and loves the lad who ris< s from i-ntr-toundings bad. and hits tin l giant's stride. Tint. in these times of motorcars, and sounding braf-s, and moA - ie stars. when fun's the end and aim, do any lads ambitious toil o'er dusty tomes and burn the od that lights tho wav to fame?