Hawthorne, Nathaniel / 2008-06-08 00:00:00
1843
TWICE-TOLD TALES
THE CELESTIAL RAILROAD
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
NOT A GREAT WHILE AGO, passing through the gate of dreams, I
visited that region of the earth in which lies the famous city of
Destruction. It interested me much to learn that, by the public spirit
of some of the inhabitants, a railroad has recently been established
between this populous and flourishing town, and the Celestial City.
Having a little time upon my hands, I resolved to gratify a liberal
curiosity to make a trip thither. Accordingly, one fine morning, after
paying my bill at the hotel, and directing the porter to stow my
luggage behind a coach, I took my seat in the vehicle and set out
for the Station- house. It was my good fortune to enjoy the company of
a gentleman- one Mr. Smooth-it-away- who, though he had never actually
visited the Celestial City, yet seemed as well acquainted with its
laws, customs, policy, and statistics, as with those of the city of
Destruction, of which he was a native townsman. Being, moreover, a
Director of the railroad corporation, and one of its largest
stockholders, he had it in his power to give me all desirable
information respecting that praiseworthy enterprise.
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