The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-27
Mr.. J.,S. DARLINC'S
CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
Handsome Treatment of His Recent
Employees.
TROLLEY MEN MADE HAPPY.
He Distributes Sixteen Thousand DOL
lars Among the Men who for Years
Honestly Turned in the Fares
They Collected on the Road.
TROLLEY MEN MADE HAPPY.


Special-The lot Of those who follow
the trolley for living is usually an
unhappy one, but an exception must De
made i'm the case of the employees OF
the Newport News and Old Point Rail
way and Electric Company's men, for
this is not only the merriest and hap
piest Christmas I'm their lives, but they
probably have tho advantage in this
respect over the employees OF any other
corporation I'm the land.
Mr. J. IL. Darling, of Hampton, well
known as one OF the most charitable
and public-spirited citizens in Eastern
Virginia, is responsible for this graft
flying state OF arairs Mr.. Darling was
superintendent OF the old company, IN
which he and his wife and son, Mr.. r.
5. Darling were the principal members,
owning TWO thirds of the stock.
NOT RUNG UP.
In the seven years of the roads eX-
istence, prior TO the transfer TO the
present owners, Mr.. w. j. Payne, OF
Richmond and others. there had ac-
cumulated TO the credit OF these stock
holders no less than $4,000 representing
the amount turned In night by night by
the conductors OF the line OF fares
which they had neglected to ring up,
generally on account of crowds.
At a meeting Of the former stockhold-
ers, Mr.. J. ). Darling proposed to divide
this amount among the employees as a
Christmas gift, and d recognition OF
their faithful service. There was en-
phasio opposition to the proposition by
the other stockholders, 50 tho Darlings
decided TO divide their two thirds. or
$4,000. among the men. Accordingly.
they divided the amount. giving 10 each
man his proportion, in accordance with
the length OF time he had been IN the
service. the conductors ana motormen
receiving at the rate of s. for every
week since their connection with the
road; the engineers at the rate Of s.
a week and others in ratio consistent
with their salaries
HANDSOME GIFTS.
In this way Cashier Reynor, who has
been with the road since the first spike
was driven, received $1,000; Conductor
Bachus fell heir 10 S7l2.i several others
came in for sums ranging between 500
and 500 Tho majority OF the checks
were made out for sums ranging in
amounts from $50 10 500. Very few
were for less than 800, and thoy were
for men who had been with the company
only a few weeks
Now. the men had not the slightest
intimatlon Of their good luck. and when
they received notice Saturday 10 as
semble at the power-house In Hampton.
az 1880 O'Clock that night. some Of
them thought they were 20 be dis
charged soma that a reduction in salary
was 10 be proposed However. thev
were all in the shed AZ the hour named.
MEN CRIED WITH EMOTION.
When every one was settled Mr.. j. s.
Darling arose and explained 20 them
his purpose in getting them there to-
gether. Then he distributed the checks
Such scene was never before witnessed
In this part OF the State as that which
followed
Some Of the older men cried like babies.
and Mr. Darling himself could hardly
speak for the big Jump that caught in
his throat. but he was happy. and the
great cheer that went up from the
tired. excited group around him was tho
sweetest music his ear had ever heard
Every God bless you I got was worth
thousand dollars" said Mr. Darling.
Many Of the men are building homes.
and this unexpected shower OF wealth
came TO them as a godsend indeal.
Several Of them went around to-day and
paid up in full for these homes
THOSE WHO HAVE WIVES
Those who had wives-and the ma
jority Of the men are married hurried
20 them and such scenes. they say.
were never enacted i'm quiet. orderly
homes before The men have talked OF
nothing else since. and their experiences
upon reaching home. as related By them
TO each other and 20 any one else who
manifested an interest in Them. would
MI book-a pathetic and beautiful
book. too.
To day a committee IS at work COM
posing set OF resolutions % be pre-
scented 10 their benefactors. In the
reantme the men are going about Look
ire FOR Christmas presents for the "Old
Man" and purchasing everything. from
tox Of cigars 20 a Smithfeld ham. 10
when Mr.. Darling IS known TO be ex-
tremely partial