A LITTLE SUNBEAM,

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 159, 19 August 1892, Page 8

A LITTLE SUNBEAM,

Railroad engineers and firemen, grimy and tu iturn, lead a more dangerous life than any soldier, but their occupation is prosaic, and few give them credit for heroism or the gentle feelings which make up the romantic sides of human nature. Yet in their existence there sometimes falls a spark of light and a ray of sunshine illuminates the smoky cab. The overland train had arrived at Oakland, California, and the great iron engine was throbbing and puffing after the long and sinuous trip over mountain sides and rocky defiles, lofty trestles an d m ars h y sI re tch es The din in the depot was deafening, but out of the chaos of sounds a sweet, girlish voice was heard welcoming home her parents, who had arrived on the train. She was a little golden-haired beauty, scarcely seven years of age, with a quick, intelligent eye and a loving nature, to which she gave full vent in the radiant and impulsive way she welcomed her parents back. At last they took her by the hand and proceeded towards the waiting ferry boat. As they passed by the engine attached to the train, the little one broke away, ran up to the big, black machine, and patted the driving wheels affectionately with her small white hands. Then, looking up at the smokestack she said : ‘ You good, big, old iron horse, you have brought back papa and mamma safe over the great mountain to their little girl, and I want to thank you, even if you don’t care for me, because lam so little, And you too,’ she continued, turning her faee wistfully towards the grimy engineer and fireman. who were looking down at her ; ‘ 1 ’ove you all ’ Then she kissed her hand to them and was gone. ‘ Bill,’ said the engineer to his fireman, ‘ what was that ?’ 4 ’Beared like an angel,’ said the fireman, echoing the other’s thought. Just then a fleeting sunbeam from the great orb sinking down in the Golden Gate came stealing through a chink in the depot and stole by the engineer into his cab. There was a strange look on nis face for an instant, and when he turned his head there were two light spots on his dustbegrimed cheeks,