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The Celestial Railroad
Throughtheveryheartofthisrockymountainatunnelhasbeenconstructedofmostadmirablearchitecture,withaloftyarchandaspaciousdoubletrack;sothat,unlesstheearthandrocksshouldchancetocrumbledown,itwillremainaneternalmonumentofthebuilder’sskillandenterprise.ItisagreatthoughincidentaladvantagethatthematerialsfromtheheartoftheHillDifficultyhavebeenemployedinfillinguptheValleyofHumiliation,thusobviatingthenecessityofdescendingintothatdisagreeableandunwholesomehollow.
"Thisisawonderfulimprovement,indeed,"saidI."YetIshouldhavebeengladofanopportunitytovisitthePalaceBeautifulandbeintroducedtothecharmingyoungladies—MissPrudence,MissPiety,MissCharity,andtherest—whohavethekindnesstoentertainpilgrimsthere."
"Youngladies!"criedMr.Smooth-it-away,assoonashecouldspeakforlaughing."Andcharmingyoungladies!Why,mydearfellow,theyareoldmaids,everysoulofthem—prim,starched,dry,andangular;andnotoneofthem,Iwillventuretosay,hasalteredsomuchasthefashionofhergownsincethedaysofChristian’spilgrimage."
"Ah,well,"saidI,muchcomforted,"thenIcanveryreadilydispensewiththeiracquaintance."
TherespectableApollyonwasnowputtingonthesteamataprodigiousrate,anxious,perhaps,togetridoftheunpleasantreminiscencesconnectedwiththespotwherehehadsodisastrouslyencounteredChristian.ConsultingMr.
