SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY. A PLEV FOR THE DRAPERS
A strain for the drapers , a musical strain, That wc recreation and rest may obtain, And revel in sunshine ’mid charms that invite From shop, street and city on Saturday night. Wo wish not our relative duties to shirk, We’ve faith in fair justice and real honest work. But when gas dimly burns ar.d purchasers few, Both masters and men might cease working at two. The times are aggressive and life is but short. And frail human nature needs seasons of sport. Then why should the drapers be lagging behind The march of improvement and pleasures of mind ? We muse on the years with grim shadows o’ercast, ■ , And think of the long, twilight hours of tho past; Of the days when assistants were slaves to tho few And drapers ne’er dreamed of e’er closing at two. Now, lessons from mellow experience we glean, . , . And learn what true manhood and honesty mean; That God ne’er intended His gifts manifold To be only enjoyed by possessors of gold. The wonders of science and pictures of art Were meant to improve both the head and the And shame on the greed that would thoughtlessly wrest .. .. One sweet bud of joy from the tou-weaned breast. Then say, shall the Saturday half-day be ours. To freshen our feelings and strengthen our powers, . , Or custom oppressive still treat us as slaves. Till the shades of forgetfulness darken our graves ? If conceded the favour we modestly ask. With cheerier hearts we should bend o er our Our labour, with summer - like cheerfulness With sunlight, enjoyment, and health-breath* ing air. The fields and the woods, and the flowers and the sky. Waken hope in the soul and bring light to the from proud fashion’s oft-varying moods. . . . Where eager-eyed selfishness never intrudes. Good people of Auckland, your fayour we To aid us in winning the boon once a week; That we may enjoy what fair Freedom bestows— The peace of the Spirit and Sabbath repose. John Blackman,
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Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 485, 5 July 1890, Page 6
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335SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY. A PLEV FOR THE DRAPERS Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 485, 5 July 1890, Page 6
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