Nathaniel Hawthorne 
The Celestial Railroad 

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.