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The Celestial Railroad
Oneoftheseancienttombstoneshadbeenthrustacrossthetrackbysomemaliciousperson,andgavethetrainofcarsaterriblejolt.FaruptheruggedsideofamountainIperceivedarustyirondoor,halfovergrownwithbushesandcreepingplants,butwithsmokeissuingfromitscrevices.
"Isthat,"inquiredI,"theverydoorinthehill-sidewhichtheshepherdsassuredChristianwasaby-waytohell?"
"Thatwasajokeonthepartoftheshepherds,"saidMr.Smooth-itaway,withasmile."Itisneithermorenorlessthanthedoorofacavernwhichtheyuseasasmoke-houseforthepreparationofmuttonhams."
Myrecollectionsofthejourneyarenow,foralittlespace,dimandconfused,inasmuchasasingulardrowsinesshereovercameme,owingtothefactthatwewerepassingovertheenchantedground,theairofwhichencouragesadispositiontosleep.Iawoke,however,assoonaswecrossedthebordersofthepleasantlandofBeulah.Allthepassengerswererubbingtheireyes,comparingwatches,andcongratulatingoneanotherontheprospectofarrivingsoseasonablyatthejourney’send.Thesweetbreezesofthishappyclimecamerefreshinglytoournostrils;webeheldtheglimmeringgushofsilverfountains,overhungbytreesofbeautifulfoliageanddeliciousfruit,whichwerepropagatedbygraftsfromthecelestialgardens.Once,aswedashedonwardlikeahurricane,therewasaflutterofwingsandthebrightappearanceofanangelintheair,speedingforthonsomeheavenlymission.
