The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-12-21

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch
The COvtngt0n and the Central Ra,lroads-4ppre-
heHdsd ShBertngS among the Laborers-An In
tereSttng Scene.
CALAHAE's. Dec. 10, 1860.
There is much interest felt here as 10 the
course of the contractors on the railroads, the
coming year. The low price of state stocks it
is feared, will com pei them 10 suspend opera
uons. In that case, there are on the Central
terminus, and the Covington and Ohio Rail-
road, some Thousands of laborers, ut is sup
posed mum bering with their families five
thousand who will be deprived OF the means
Of living, and great deal Of suffering Will be
the consequence. The contractors are | be-
lieye, without exception, excellent and hon
orable gentlemer They will do all in their
power 10 continue their contracts, and have
already made heavy sacrifices to DO this
l am sure they are actuated in a great degree
by their sympathy for The laborers and that
they will make yet heavier sacrifices to keen
them from suffering. Should the laborers
submit to q small reduction temporarily in
their compensation, this may be Accomplished
L say temporarily; tor l trust we are not TO
continue in our present condition of uncer-
tainty, and our securities are not TO remain
deprecated for any long period of time 1t js
to he hoped that our diffic ulties will be settled
and the country placed upon a permanent
basis in short time When that is done every
thing Will suddenly resume its former posi-
tion Of order and stability, and their values be
restored to property of all kinds.
The Covipgtou and Ohio Railroad has gone
forward in fine style, and tine progress made
confirms the statement of Mr.. FIsK-that. t.
without some suspension of operations, the
work will be completed to the White Sulphur
Springs by June twelve months. The Allie
ghany Tunnel, near the White Sulphur which
is within fraction of a mile long has been
cut entirely through for some time, and is
now being arched. The whole of the contracts
are conducted with energy, and the work will
not only be done in good time but well done
The cen trail terminus will be ready as soon as
the Covington is finished to the White Sui
phur. and summer after next visitors to the
Springs will be relieved of the dreaded staging
from Jackson's River to the White Sulphur
Springs.
An In teresting incident happened yesterday
At the village surrounding Major Kupr's cot
tage, on the line OF the Covington and Ohio
Railroad. The Major is a large contractor
and Is a generous and kind hearted gentleman
He gave direc lions that the children OF the
Irish labSrers should be assem- bied, in their
best bibs and fuckers, at his domicil 10 receive
their Christmas presents. They punctualIy
assem- bled, with clean faces and neat dresses,
nun bering about one hundred and ffty. Father
Walters was to have beca present to make
them short address, but he did not come pos
sibly on account of the weather. The Major
undertook the task himself, and performed it
very well. He then gave them the presents,
which they received with perfect delight
They assent bled around the Major and cheered
him with their tiny voices until they made the
mountains ring with the echoes of their joy
ful exclamations. The scene was deeply in
teresting, and one which the children will never
forget. How little impo rtance the world attach.
es 10 a scene like this of kindness TO children
to children OF the poor laborer! Yet such a
scene has an important bearing on the fates of
many of these little ones. 1t tends to culti-
vate u proper self-respect, and suggests none
but good feelings and ideas to their minds
The Majors example Is one worthy of EN- ula-
ton. ALLEaHANY.