The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-06-20
1fllsrfllanf0us.
The Glass Railroad.

The Glass Railroad.
The milford Bard" during one of his
fits of nsansa a potu, said:
at seemed to me as though had been
suddenly aroused from my slumber. I
looked around and found myself in the
center of a gay crowd. The sensation I
experienced was that of being borne along
with peculiar gentle motion. looked
around and found that was in long train
of cars, which was gliding along over a
railway and seemed to be many miles in
length. 1t was composed Of many cars.
Every car, opened at the top, was filled
with men and women, all gaily dressed, all
happy, all laughing and talking and sing
ing. The peculiar gentle motion Of the
cars interested me. There was no grant
ing, such as we have on railroad. They
moved on without the least jar or sound.
This say interested me. I looked over
the side, and to my astonishment found
the railroad and cars made of glass. The
glass wheels moved over the glass rails
without the slightest noise or oscillation.
The soft gliding motion produced feeling
of exquisite happiness. I was happy
It seemed as if everything was at rest
within me-was full of peace.
While was wondering over this cir
cumstance, new sight attracted my gaze.
All along the road, on either side, within
a foot of the track, were laid long lines of
coffins, one on either side of the railroad,
and every one contained a corpse dressed
for burial, with its cold white face turned
to the light. The sight filled me with
horror: 1 yelled in agony but could make
no sound. The gay throng who We're
around me only doubled their singing
and laughter at my agony; and we swept
on, gliding with glass wheels over the
glass railroad, every moment coming near
er to the bend of the road, far, far in the
distance.
"Who are thesc?" / cried at last,
pointing to the dead in their cofings.
"These are the persons who made the
trip before u.s." was the reply Of one, the
gayest persons near me.
'What trip?" asked.
"Why the trip we are now makeng-the
trip on the glass railway" was the answer.
"Why do they lie along the road, each
one in his cofin?" I was answered il &
whisper with half laugh that froze my
blood.
"They are dashed to death at the end
of the railroad" said the person whom
addressed
"You know he continued, that the rail
road terminates at an abyss which is with
out bottom or measure. It is lined witt
pointed rocks. AS each car arrives at the
end, it precipitates its passengers into The
abyss. They are dashed to pieces agains
the rocks and their bodies are then SEN
here and placed in the collins as a warn
ing to other passengers; but no one heed'
| it, we are so happy on the railway"
I can never describe the horror will
which these words inspired me.
"Whatisthe name ofthe glass railroad?'
asked.
The person whom / addressed replied
in the same strain:
at is very easy to get into the cars
but very hard to get out: for once il
these cars everybody is delighted with tn
soft gliding motion. The cars move s.
gently! Yes, this is railroad of HABIT
and with glass wheels we are whiriing owe
glass railroad towards an unfathomabl
abyss. In few moments we will b
there, and they will bring our bodies an
put them in coffins as a warning to other
but nobody will mind it, will they?"
/ l was choked with very horror.
struggled to breathe-made frantic effort
to leap from the cars, and in the struggl
awoke. I knew it was only dream, an
yet when I think of it, I can see the lon
train of cars far ahead as they are turnin
8 the bend of the road / can see the nea
in their collins, clear and distinct on e
| ther side of the road. While the laugh
ing and singing of the gay and happy pas
sengers resound in my ear. { only sc
those cold faces of the dead, with the
CLASSY eyes uplifted, and their frozen hano
upon their white shrouds.
at was horrible dreaml'
And the Bard's changing features an
Frightening eye attested the emotion th'
), had been aroused by the memory of Il
dream.
!. There is MORAL in that dream.
: Reader, are you addicted to any sinf
habit2 Break it of, ere you dash again
the rocks.
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