Мхи старої садиби
The Celestial Railroad
Theenginenowannouncedtheclosevicinityofthefinalstation-housebyonelastandhorriblescream,inwhichthereseemedtobedistinguishableeverykindofwailingandwoe,andbitterfiercenessofwrath,allmixedupwiththewildlaughterofadeviloramadman.Throughoutourjourney,ateverystopping-place,Apollyonhadexercisedhisingenuityinscrewingthemostabominablesoundsoutofthewhistleofthesteam-engine;butinthisclosingeffortheoutdidhimselfandcreatedaninfernaluproar,which,besidesdisturbingthepeacefulinhabitantsofBeulah,musthavesentitsdiscordeventhroughthecelestialgates.
Whilethehorridclamorwasstillringinginourearsweheardanexultingstrain,asifathousandinstrumentsofmusic,withheightanddepthandsweetnessintheirtones,atoncetenderandtriumphant,werestruckinunison,togreettheapproachofsomeillustrioushero,whohadfoughtthegoodfightandwonagloriousvictory,andwascometolayasidehisbatteredarmsforever.Lookingtoascertainwhatmightbetheoccasionofthisgladharmony,Iperceived,onalightingfromthecars,thatamultitudeofshiningoneshadassembledontheothersideoftheriver,towelcometwopoorpilgrims,whowerejustemergingfromitsdepths.TheywerethesamewhomApollyonandourselveshadpersecutedwithtaunts,andgibes,andscaldingsteam,atthecommencementofourjourney—thesamewhoseunworldlyaspectandimpressivewordshadstirredmyconscienceamidthewildrevellersofVanityFair.
"Howamazinglywellthosemenhavegoton,"criedItoMr.Smoothit—away.
