The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-29
the steam again."

The road now plunged into gorge of the
Detachable Mountains, and traversed the field
where, in former ages, the blind man wander
ed and stumbled among the tombs. One of
these ancient tombstones had been thrust
across the track, by some malicious person,
and gave the train Of cars terrible Jolt. Far
up the rugged side of a mountain, perceived
a rusty iron door, half overgrownwith bushes
I and creeping plants, but with smoke issuing
from its crevices."
"Is that" inquired |, "the very door in the
hillside, which the shepherds assured Chris
tian was by-way to He'll ;"
THAT was joke on the part Of the shep-
herds, said Mr.. Smooth-t-away,with smile.
at is neither more nor less than the door of
/ the cavern, which they use as smoke-house
for the preparation of mutton-hams."
My recollections of the journey are now,
for little space, dim and confused, inasmuch
as singular drowsiness came over me, owing
to the fact that we were passing over the en-
chanted ground, the air of which encourages
disposition to sleep. | awoke however, as
soon as we had crossed the borders of the
pleasant land of Beulah. All the passengers
were rubbing their eyes, comparing watches,
and cOngratulating one another on the pros
pect of arriving so seasonaby at the journeys
end. The sweet breezes Of this happy cline
came refreshingly to our nostrils; We beheld
the gl;mmering gush of silver fountains, over
hung by trees of beautiful foliage and delic-
ious fruit, which were propagated by gratis
from the celestial gardens. Once, as we
dashed onward like hurricane, there was a
hutter of wings, and the bright appearance OF
an angel in the air, speeding forth on some
heavenly mission. The engine now announc-
ed the close vicinity of the final Station
House, by one last and horrible scream, in
which there seemed to be distinguished every
kind of waiting and woe, and bitter ferceness
ofwrath, all mixed up with the wild laughter
of devil or a mailman. Throughout our
journey, at every stopping place, Apollyon
had exercised his ingenuity in screwing the
most abominable sounds out of the whistle of
the steam-eigne; but, in this closing effort
he outdid himself, and created an Internal up
roar, which, besides disturbing the peaceful
inhabitants of Beulah must have sent its dis
cord even through the celestial gates.
While the horrid clamor was still ringing
/ in our ears, we heard an exulting strain, as if
thousand instruments of music, with height,
and depth, and sweetness in their tones, at
once tender d triumphant,we struck in uni
son, to greet the approach of some illustri-
Gus hero, who had fought the good fight and
won glorious victory, and was come to lay
aside his battered arms forever. Looking to
ascertain what might be the occasion of this
glad harmony, perceived, on alghting from
the cars, that multitude of shining ones had
assembled on the other side of the river, to
welcome two pilgrims, who were just emery
ing from its depths. They were the same
uh Apnl1von and o,,rcalvao baJ M
with taunts and gibes, and scalding steam, at
the commencement of our journey-the same
whose unworldly aspect and impressive words
had stirred my conscience, amid the wild rev.
oilers of Vanity Fair.
allow amazingly well these men have got
| onr' cried l to Mr.. Smooth-it-away. Il
wish / were secure of as good reception"
"Never fear-never fearr' answered my
friend. "Come-make haste; the ferry boat
will be off directly; and in three minutes you
will be on the other side of the river. No
doubt you will find coaches to carry you up to
the city gates"
A steam ferry-boat, the last improvement
on this important route, lay at the river side,
putting. snorting and emitting al other disa-
greeable utterances, which betoken the de-
parture to be immediate. | hurried on board
were in great perturbation; some bawling
ont for their baggage; some tearing their
hair and exclaiming that the boat would ex-
plode or sink; some already pale with the
heaving of steam some gazing affrighted at
the urgly aspect Of the steersman; and some
still dizzy with the slumberous influences of
the Enchanted Ground. Looking back to the
shore, was amazed to discern Mr.. Smooth
it-away waving his hand in token of fare
well
Don't you go over to the Celestial Cityl"
exclaimed ].
"Oh, no. answered he, with queer smile,
and the same disagreeable contortion ofvisage
which had remarked in the inhabitants of
the Dark Valley. "Oh, no, have come thus
far only for the sake of your pleasant compa-
ny. Good bye We shall meet again."
And then did my excellent Mr.. Smooth-it-
away, laugh outright; in the midst of which
cachination, smoke wreath issued from his
mouth and nostrils, while twinkle of livid
fame darted out of either eye, proving indu
bitably that his heart was all of red blaze.
The impudent fend! To deny the existence
of Tophet, when he felt its fiery tortures "a
ging within his own breast / rushed to the
side of the boat intending TO fling myself on
shore. But the wheels, as they began their
revolutions, threw dash Of spray over me
so cold-so deadly cold, with the chill that
will never leave those waters. until Death be
drowned in his own river-that with SILVER
and heart-quake, / awoke. Thank heaven,
it was Dream.-DemOcrdtic RepietC.