The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-02-27
Tho Glass Railroad.
"There " as moral in that dream"

The "Millford Bard,' during one Of
his fits of mania a 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 first
sensation I experienced was that of be-
ing borne along with peculiar, gentle
motion. I looked around and found
that was in long train Of cars, which
were gliding over a railway many miles
in length. 1t was composed of many
cars. Every car opend at the top, and
was filed with men and women, all gai-
ly dressed, all happy, all laughing, talk
ing and singing. The peculiar gentle
motion of the cars interested me- l
looked over the side, and to my aston
ishment found the railroad and bars
made of glass. The glass wheels moved
over the glass rails without the least
noise or oscillation. The soft, gliding
motion produced a feeling of exquisite
happiness. l was happy! 1t seemed
as if everything was at rest within--I
was full Of peace.
While | was wondering over this cir
cumstance new sight attracted my
gaze. All along the road, on either side,
few feet from the track, were laid long
lines Of coffins, and every one contained
a corpse dressed for burial. with its cold
white face turned upwards towards me.
The sight filed me with horror. / yelled
in agony, but could make no sound
The gay throng who were around me
only redoubled their gay songs and
laughter at 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, far
in the distance
sWho are those?'' T cried at last,
pointing to the dead in their collins.
'Ehese are the persons who made the
trip before u.s." was the reply of the
gayest person near me.
What trip?' - asked.
"Why, the trip we are now taking
the trip on the glass railway was the
answer
"Why do they lie along the road, each
one in his coffin q
was answered with whisper and a
half laugh, which froze my blood:
They were dashed to death at the end
of the road,7 said the person whom I
addressed. ''You know the railroad
terminates in an abyss, which is without
bottom or measure. 1t is lined with
pointed rocks. AS each car arrives at
the end it precipitates its passengers
into the abyss. They are dashed to
pieces against the rocks and their bodies
are then placed in their coffins and
brought here as warning to other
passengers, but no one minds it, we are
SO happy on the glass railroad
can never describe the horror with
which the words inspired me.
CIV hat is the name of the glass rail
road p I asked
The person whom addressed replied
IN the same strain
''It IS Very easy to get into the cars,
ba6 very hard to get out for once in
these cars every one is delighted with
the soft, gliding motion. Ehe cars move
so gently Yes, this is railroad of
Habit, and with glass wheels we are
q
omless abyss. In few moments we'll
be there, and they will bring our bodies
and put them in coffins as warning to
others, but no body VIAL mind it, will
they p
/ was shocked with horror. 1 strup-
glcd to breathe, and made frantic efforts
to leap from the cars, and in the strup-
gle awoke l knew it was only dream,
and yet, whenever / think of it, can
see that long train OF cars move gently
over the glass railroad. can see cars
far ahead as they are turning the bend
OF the road. ! can see the dead in their
coihns, clear and distinct, on either side
OF the road. While the laughing and
singing OF the gay and happy passen-
gers resound in my ears, / only see those
cold faces of the dead, with their CLASSY
eyes uplifted, and their frozen hands
upon their white shrouds.
cit was {. horrible dreanl'
And the Hards changing features and
bright eye attested the emotion which
had been aroused by the very memory
of that dream.
1t was indeed horrible dream. A
long train of glass cars, gliding over a
glass railroad, freighted with youth,
beauty, and music, while on either hand
are stretched the victims OF yesterdy-
gliding over the fathomless abyss.
"There was a moral in that dream"
Reader, are you addicted to any sin
ful habitS Break is off ere YOU dash
against the rocks
Upon wager Of ten dollars, Mr.. Aif.
Shafor of Middletown, O., ran q mile
inside of eight minutes, on the 1lth.
Time 7:30