Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-09
EVENING STAR.
A COUSIN IN NEED.

On dreary autumn day, more than a hun
dred years ago, heavy travelling carriage
was slowly numbering along the muddy road
from Potsdam to Berlin. Within it was one
person only, who took no heed Of the slowness
OF the travelling; but leaning back in a cor
ner, was arranging multiplicity of papers
contained in a small portfolio, and making
notes in pocketbook. As he was dressed in
plain dark military uniform, 1t was fair to
suppose that this gentleman belonged to the
Prussian army, but to which grade of it no.
body could determine, as all token of rank
had been avoided. A dreary November even.
ing was closing in and, though the rain had
for time ceased, yet dark masses of clouds
flying through the sky gave warning that a
weeping darkness" was at hand. The road
grew heavier and heavier-at least, so il
should have seemed to foot traveller who was
plowing his way through its mire and So
doubtless it did seem to the carriage horses,
who at last floundered along so slowly that
the pedestrian, whom they had Overtaken,
kept easily by the side Of the coach-though
at respectful distance, certainly after the
first bucketful of mud that it splashed over
him. The gentleman inside the coach, when
he could see no longer, shut up his portfolio
and returned the pocketbook to its place in
the breast lining Of his coat. He then reused
himself to look out of the window, and Judge,
from the mud and darkness, how far it mis- ght
pO W DclllI- IUI tuO uIcl biulo Ue ptTCelNou
that muddy young man was walking at a
little distance from his horses. Though more
than reasonably travel stained, he trudged on
as If his limbs were as strong as his heart was
light. Through the drizzle and darkness all
that could be seen of his face was sensible
and good tempered. He had just finished a
pipe as he attracted the travellers attention,
aud was in the act of shaking out the ashes
and replacing the pipe in a wallet slung over
his haaE rhap ha haa ord bimcalf odd -,
the manner following, and in rather an author
itative tone OF voice:
''Hollo! young man, whittier are you bound
this stormy looking night? ?"
That is more than L can tell you, not be-
ing at home in this part of the world. My
wish is to reach Berlin but if L find rest
ing place before L get thereto that m
bound, for I'm awcary."
- [ should think you must have two hours
walk before you, was the unsatisfactory re-
ply that followed
The young man made no reply, and after a
short pause the stranger said
" If it please you to rest on the step of the
carriage for few minutes, you are welcome
so to do, Herr What s-yOur- name. 3"
d" My name is Heinrich Meyer" replied the
young man Zone of those who wisely never
refuse the small benefit, because the larger
ole is not to be obtained He thankfully
accepted the not very clean place allotted to
him.
From inside the window the next question
put to Heinrich was:
"What are you going to Berlin for?''
Z" To hunt for some cousins was the an
swer.
And, pray, who may they be ?" asked the
unknown
'Well, to tell you the truth, have not an
idea who they are, or where to look for them.
Indeed, it is more than doubtful whether |
nave SO much as an acquaintance in Berlin,
much less a relation"
The queStiOner-whO should have been an
American colonel--loOked amused and aston
ished, as he suggested.
Truly there must be some other motive
for your going to Berlin; or what could have
put this idea into your head 20
why" replied Heinrich, " I have Just
become a clergyman, without tho smallest
chance of getting anything to do in my own
nclghborhOOd L have no relative to help me,
and not quite money enough to find me in
necessaries.'
"But," said the Prussian; what on earth
has this to do with cousins in Berlin 2''
We'll, now, who knows? Many of my fel-
low students have got good appointments, and
whenever l asked them to let me know how it
was done, the answer always was, "a cousin
gave it TO me, or " L got it through the in
terest of a cousin who lives at Berlin" Now,
as find none of these useful cousins live in
the country, l must go without their help, or
else hunt for them in Berlin -
This was all said in a cOmical dry way, so
that his listener could not refrain from laugh
ing, but he made no comment. However, he
pulled out piece of paper, and began to
write upon it. When he had finished, he
turned round to Heinrich, saying that he OBJ
served he had been smoking, and that he felt
inclined to do the same, but had forgotten to
bring tinder with him. Could Herr Meyer
Oblige him with light"
Certainly, with great pleasure" was the
prompt reply; and Heinrich, taking tinder-
box cut Of his wallet, Immediately began to
strike light. Now, il has been said that
the evening was damp--it was so damp that
there seemed little enough prospect of the thu
der's lighting moreover, the wind blew the
sparks out almost before they fell.
"Well, if your cousins are no more easily
to be got at than your light, pity you, young
sir, was the sole remark to which the stran-
ger condescended, as he watched Heinrich's
laborious endeavors.
"' M desperGndum,' is my motto, an
swered the young man; and when the words
were scarcely uttered, the light had been
struck. In his delight at succeeding, Helm
rich jumped on the carriage step, and leaning
through the window, thrust the tinder eagerly
In the direction OF the gentlcman's face.
/" Hurra sir, puff away"
After a short pause, during which time the
stranger had been putting at his pipe, he re-
moved it from his mouth, and addressed Helm
rich in this way
/ have been thinking over what you have
been telling me, and perhaps in a humble
way might be able to assist you, and thus
act the part of the cousin you are seeking. AT
all events, when you get to Berlin, take this
note" handing him the slip of paper on
which he had been writing; take this note
to Marshal Grumbkow, who is somewhat of a
friend of mine, and who will, think oblige
me. But mind do exactly as he bids you,
and abide strictly by his advice. If he says
he will help you, rely upon it he will
keep his word; but he is rather eccentric, and
the way he sets about doing kindness, may,
perhaps, seem strange to you. And now," he |
continued, "as the road is improved, l must |
hurry on the horses, and SO bid you good eve
ming, hoping you will prosper in your new ca
reer.'
As Heinrich began to express his thanks |
for the good wishes of his unknown friend, the |
signal was given to increase the speed Of the |
horses, and before he had time to make any
Il