rs, and with other gentlemen exerted
himself greatly to alleviate their sufferings. We need not dwell upon
the painful scene of the accident, which created quite a sensation, as
it occurred to the Continental express, by which so many holiday-makers
travel.

We have not mentioned many accidents in the few papers we have put
before you, for there is a sameness in them unfortunately; but we
remember one terrible accident which occurred in consequence of a little
boy playing on an engine, which ran away and caused a bad collision by
dashing into a train which it overtook in its wild race.

Perhaps you little readers of LITTLE FOLKS are not aware that boys begin
at a very early age to learn the mysteries of the locomotive engine.
These lads are "cleaners" first, and have to rub up the bright parts of
the engines, and clear out the fire-boxes. Accidents have happened to
the lads, even boys have been killed by going to sleep in the
fire-boxes, and when the fire was lighted next morning they have been
suffocated. The engine-driver expects his fire lighted and steam got up
for him when he comes down to the engine-shed, or "stable." You may,
perhaps, have noticed the round houses near the railway--say at York
Road, Battersea--those are the engine-"stables." Every engine is placed
in its "stall," so that its chimney is just under an opening, or flue.
It is also over a "pit," so that the fire can be raked out, or the
working examined from underneath before the engine goes into the station
next day to take the train away to the seaside, or to carry you to
school, or home for the holidays. The engine-driver or the fireman
examines the rods, cranks, and all the different joints, nuts, and
screws; oiling or "packing," "easing off," or "tightening up" the
various parts, so that the machinery may run easily and without heating.
One tiny bit of grit may wreck a train.

But our allotted space is now filled, and will not permit us to tell you
more concerning engine-boys. So we must say "good-bye" to you all.

"FATHER'S COMING!"

Oh, Father is coming!
Through all the long day
We thought of him often,
When he was away;
We knew he was working
While we were at play.

He'll be tired, I think;
I have set him a chair
In his own cosy corner--
He likes to sit there--
And we'll bring him his slippers,
His old favourite pair.

I think it's the nicest
To watch at the gate;
And Dolly s