Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-06-12
The Glass Railroad.
"There was a moral in that dream"

"There was a moral in that dream"
The milford Bard" during one of
his hts OF mania O pctu, said:
1t seemed to me as though | had
been suddenly aroused from my slum-
bers. | looked around and found
myself in the centre of a gay crowd.
The first sensation | experienced was
that of being borne along with a Pc
culiar, gentle motion. | looked ar
ound and found that | was in a long
train of cars, which were gliding over
a railway many miles in length. 1t
was composed of many cars. Every
car opened at the top, and was filled
with men and women, all gaily dress
ed, all happy, all laughing, talking and
singing. The peculiar, gentle motion
of the cars interested me. | looked
over the side, and to my astonishment
found the railroad and cars made of
glass. The glass wheels moved over
glass rails without the least noise or
oscillation. The soft, gliding motion
produced feeling of exquisite happi-
ness. | was happy! 1t seemed as
if everything was at rest within-I
was full of peace.
While | was wondering over this
circumstance a new sight attracted
my gaze All along the road oD Ell
ther side few feet from the track
were laid long lines of coffins, and ev-
cry one contained corpse dressed
for burial, with its cold, white face
turned upwards towards me. The
sight filled 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, in
the distance.
"Who are these ?" | cried at last,
pointing to the dead in their cofins.
"These are the persons who made
the trip before us" 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 ?"
| was answered with a whisper and
laugh, which froze my blood.
"They were dashed 20 death at the
end of the road said the person
whom | had addressed. "You know
the railroad terminates at the abyss
which is without bottom or measure
1t is lined with pointed rocks. Al
0S'NA ~os1 &C UsIO t--.>->-.,..
tateS its passengers into the abyss
They are dashed to pieces agains
the rocks and their bodies are thel
placed in their coffins and brough
here as warning to other passengers
but no one minds it, we are so happ,
on the glass railroad
L can never describe the horror
with which the words inspired me.
"What is the name of the glass rail
road p | asked
The person whom | addressed re
piled in the same strain:
alt is very easy to get into the cars
but very hard to get out; for once il
these cars every one is delighted will
the soft, gliding motion. The car,
move SO gently! Yes, this is a rail
road of habit, and with glass wheels
we are whirled over a glass railroad
to fathomless abyss. In few mo
ments we will be there, and they will
bring our bodies and put them in cof
fins as warning to others, but no
, body will mind it, will they p
| was shocked with horror. strug
gled to breathe, and made frantic ef
forts to leap from the cars, and in tht
struggle awoke. | knew it was ONLY
a dream, and yet, whenever | thinl
of it, can see that long train of car
move slowly over the glass railroad
!, | can see cars far ahead as they ar,
turning the bend of the road. | Cal
see dead in their collins, clear ant
distinct, On either side of the road
, While the laughing and singing of tn
, gay and happy passengers resound il
, my ears, | only see those cold face
: of the dead, with their CLASSY eyes up
lifted, and their frozen hands upol
their shrouds.
1t was horrible dream.
And the bard's changing feature
: and bright eye attested the emotion
? which had been aroused by the mem
| ory of that dream.
1t was indeed ahorrible dream.
long train of glass cars gliding owe
: a glass railroad, freighted with youth
beauty and music, while On eithe
| hand are stretched the victims of yes
terday-gliding over the fathomles
abyss.
"There was moral in that dream"
Raadar ara Won addiotad tO anv Gin