"Hawthorne, Nathaniel - The Celestial Railroad" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hawthorne Nathaniel)

door of a cavern, which they use as a smoke-house for the
preparation of mutton hams."

My recollections of the journey are now, for a little space, dim
and confused, inasmuch as a singular drowsiness here overcame me,
owing to the fact that we were passing over the Enchanted Ground,
the air of which encourages a disposition to sleep. I awoke,
however, as soon as we crossed the borders of the pleasant land of
Beulah. All the passengers were rubbing their eyes, comparing watches,
and con-gratulating one another on the prospect of arriving so
seasonably at the journey's end. The sweet breezes of this happy clime
came refreshingly to our nostrils; we beheld the glimmering gush of
silver fountains, overhung by trees of beautiful foliage and delicious
fruit, which were propagated by grafts from the celestial gardens.
Once, as we dashed onward like a hurricane, there was a flutter of
wings, and the bright appearance of an angel in the air, speeding
forth on some heavenly mission. The engine now announced the close
vicinity of the final Station-house, by one last and horrible
scream, in which there seemed to be distinguishable every kind of
wailing and wo, and bitter fierceness of wrath, all mixed up with
the wild laughter of a devil or a madman. Throughout our journey, at
every stopping-place, Apollyon had exercised his ingenuity in screwing
the most abominable sounds out of the whistle of the steam-engine; but
in this closing effort he outdid himself, and created an infernal
uproar, which, besides disturbing the peaceful inhabitants of
Beulah, must have sent its discord even through the celestial gates.

While the horrid clamor was still ringing in our ears, we heard
an exulting strain, as if a thousand instruments of music, with
height, and depth, and sweetness in their tones, at once tender and
triumphant, were struck in unison, to greet the approach of some
illustrious hero, who had fought the good fight and won a glorious
victory, and was come to lay aside his battered arms for ever. Looking
to ascertain what might be the occasion of this glad harmony, I
perceived, on alighting from the cars, that a multitude of shining
ones had assembled on the other side of the river, to welcome two poor
pilgrims, who were just emerging from its depths. They were the same
whom Apollyon and ourselves had persecuted with taunts and gibes,
and scalding steam, at the commencement of our journey- the same whose
unworldly aspect and impressive words had stirred my conscience,
amid the wild revellers of Vanity Fair.

"How amazingly well those men have got on!" cried I to Mr.
Smooth-it-away. "I wish we were secure of as good a reception."

"Never fear- never fear!" answered my friend. "Come- make haste;
the ferry-boat will be off directly; and in three minutes you will
be on the other side of the river. No doubt you will find coaches to
carry you up to the city gates."