Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-07-26
For the Spectator.
Contra, Rail Road.

NeSsrs EditorS:-l have often had occasion
to admire the excellent arrangements of the Cen
trail Railroad, not only for the prompt despatch
of business, but also for the convenience OF those
having to use it for the transportation OF freight
But no single arrangement exhibits such rare
combination OF business sagacty with spirit
accommodation as the location at Stanton o
the freight and passenger depots, halt mile
apart and then putting them both under the
management of the same person without making
allowance or provision for an assistant. The a
gent at this place, have no doubt, accompllshes
In twenty-four hours as much as any other mar
could in the same time But as the Board o.
Directors have failed to endow Billy Burke with
the power of ubiquity, he has never as yet beer
able, notwithstanding his best efforts, to accom-
plish the task OF being present in two places
halt mile asunder, at one and the same time.
The result of this beautiful and happy state Of
things is, that the freight depot is closed every
day from between twelve and one O'Clock until
after the departure of the passenger train for
Jackson's River, making nearly, If not altogeth-
or, three hours that it is closed in the business
part of every day; and it is again locked up at
I'6 P. M. on the arrival of the passenger train
from the West,
Twill now mention few of the benefits the
community derive from this arrangement, as IL
Illustrating the skill and ability with which this
road is managed.
First, it gives to the draymen and their hor-
ses line long rest in the heat OF the day, which
is doubtless gratefully acknowledged by the lat
ter, especially if they shoud get little c0rned
and then as the depot is locked up at T. ~,
there is another outpouring Of thanktulness on
the part of these "dpmb Critters" but fear q
far different sort of outpouring on the part Of the
merchant Just "in receipt of the newest style of
fashionable goods bought low for cash." Again,
many farmers and millers have to haul their grain
and flour such distance that they can rarely
reach the depot before the hour at which it 10
olosed and you can readily imagine the delight
| full and ever grateful sensations of one of them
on arriving with his team just after the agent
has locked up the house and gone to the passen.
ger depot, for it will give to his jaded horses
such good long rest, and afford to his drivers
50 fine an opportunity of seeing the town, with
its various curiosites and attractions. Then, by
the time the wagons can be unloaded and their
freight safely slowed away, "sti evening" has
come, and Sambo and Pompey will have charm
| ing aid romantic drive home through the "twi-
| light gray" and under the soft influences of u-
mar etfulgence.
| This is during the summer. In the winter
Sam and Pomp will have to bivouac for the
night on the soft mud around the station. But
| if should undertake to enumerate ali the ad-
vantages OF this arrangement
81 more vouminous should grow,
Than Holngshed or Stow"
must therefore stop. My only object in call
ing attention to this matter being desire to see
such merit properly honored and gratefully &C
knowledged by discerning public,
!, however, saw the other day on impatient,
restless testy farmer who did not seem to APP
preciate the beauties or understand the advan-
tages of this arrangement, and his team arriving
during the "locked-up-hours," he with courses
not loud" but fear very deep" directed his
wagner to deposit his load upon the platform
and drive off, But there are in erery commu-
nifty some churlish and unreasonable people who
will grumble and complain, fume and fret, no
matter what efforts you make to accommodate
them. DEAN SWIFT.
|