Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-04-18
The Glass Railroad.
"There was moral in that dream."

The "Millord Bard" during one Of
his fits of mania potu, said
1t seemed TO me as though | had been
suddenly aroused from my slumbers. |
looked around and found myself in the
centre OF a gay crowd. The fret sensa-
uon experienced was that OF beng borne
along with a peculiar, gentle mouon.
looked around and found that | was Ir
long train OF cars, which were ghcIng
over a railway many miles in length. II
was composed of many cars. Every car
opened at the top, and was filled with
men and women, all gally dressed all
happy. all laughing. taking and singing.
Tie peculiar, gentle motion Of The cars
interested NE. looked over the side,
and to my astonshmenI found the rail-
road and bars made OF lsss. The glass
wheels moved over lass rails without The
least noise or oscillauon. The soft Gid
ing motion produced feeling oI exquisite
happiness. | was happy 1t seemed
as If every thing was al rest Within
was full OF peace.
While was wondering over this elf
cumslance, new sight attracted my
gaze. All along the..rosd on either side
a few feet from The track were laid long
lines Of coffins, and every one contained
a corpse dressed for burial, with lis cold,
white face turned upwards, towards me.
The sight filled me with horror. yell
ed in agony, but could make no sound.
The gay trrong who were around me on
ly redoUbled their gay songs and laughter
al the sight Of my agony and We swept
on. gliding with glass wheels over The
glass railroad, every moment nearer TO
the bend of the road, far, in the distance.
"Who ale these 7" | cried al last,
pointing TO the dead in their collins.
"rhese are the persons who made The
trip before as" was the reply OF the
gayest person near me.
"What trip :" | asked.
"Why the trip we are now taking
the trip on the glass rsilway," was The
answer.
"Wby DO they lie along the road, each
one in his coffin =
was answered with Whisper anu
laugh, which froze my blood.
"They were dashed TO death at the end
of the road" Issid the person whom
had addressed You know lbe railroad
terminates at an abyss, which is without
bottom or measure. |! is lined with
pointed rocks. As each car arrives at the
end it precipilstes its passengers into the
abyss. They are dashed 10 pieces
against the rocks and their bodies are
then placed in their cofiins and brought
here as a warning 10 other passengers,
but no one minds it, we are happy on the
glass railroad" D."
can never describe the horror with
which the words inspired me.
"What is the name Of The G ass rail
road" asked
The person whom addressed replied
in the same strain
"I is very easy to get into the cars bui'
verv hard TO get out for once IN 'hese
cars, every one is delighted with The soft
gliding motion. The cars move so gent,
"! Yes, this is a railroad OF Habit, snd
with glass wheels we are whlrled over a
glass railroad to fathomless abyss In
few moments well be there. and they
will bring our bodies and put them 10 col
fins as a warning 10 others, bII nobody
will mind it, will they ~
was shocked with horror. sirug'
gled 10 breathe, and made frantic efforts
10 leap from the cars, and IN the struggle
awoke. knew il was orly dream,
and vet whenever think OF II, | can see
that long train of cars move slowly over
the glass railroad. can see the cars Tor
ahead as they are turning the bend OF the
road. | can see The dead IN their collins,
clear and distinct, on either side OF the
road. While The laughing and singing oI
lie gay and happy passengers resound IN
nv ears. only see those cold isces OF the
dead, with their CLASSY eyes upllIied' and
their frozen hands upon their Whl'e
shrOuds.
alt was a horrible Dream
And the Bsrd's changing features and
bright eye aresied the emotion which
had been aroused by the very memory OF
that dream.
Hwss indeed a horrible dream. A
long rain of glass cars, gliding over
glass railroad, freighied with youth beau
" and music, while on either hand are
stretched the victims of yesIerday-gI'd-
ing ovet the fathomless abyss.
"There was moral in that dream"
Reader, are you addicted to any sinfnl
habit, Break it of ere you dash against
rocks.
Things Unknown.
Show u The man whose waist has ever
been encumDassed by an arm OF the sea.