The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-04-30
A Cousin in Need.

A Cousin in Need
On dreary autumn day, more than hun
dred years ago, heavy travelling carriage was
Potsdam to Berlin. Within it was one person
only, who took no heed of the slowness of the
travelling, butleaning back in corner, was ar
ranging multiplicity Of papers contained in a
small portfolio, and making notes in pocket
book Since he was dressed in plain dark mill
tary uniform, it was fair to suppose that this
gentleman belonged to the Prussian army, but
to which grade of it nobody could determine, as
all token of rank had been avoided. A dreary
November evening was closingin; and, though
the rain had for a time ceased, vet dark masses
of clouds flying through the sky, gave warning
that "weeping darkness" was at hand. The
road grew heavier and heavier-at least so it
should have seemed to a foot traveller who was
blowing his way through the mire; and so,
doubtless, it did seem TO the carriage horses,
who at last foundered along so slowly that the
pedestrian, whom they had overtaken, kept
easily by the side of the coach-though at a
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 pocket book 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 might be to Berlin For
the first time, he perceived 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
strong and his heart light. Through the drizzle
and darkness, all that could be seen of his face
was sensible and good-tempered. He had Just
finished pipe as he attracted the travellers at
tention, and was in the act of shaking out the
ashes and replacing the pipe in wallet slung
over his back, when he heard himself addressed
in the manner following, and in rather author
itative tone of voice:
sHollo! young man, whittier are you bound
this stormy looking night?'
That is more than can tell you, not being
at home in this part of the world. My wish is
to reach Berlin, butifI can find resting place
before I get thereto that am bound, for am
weary
I should think you must have two hours
walk before you,' was the unsatisfactory re.
mark 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 a few minutes, you are welcome tc
do so, Herr What's your-name.
MY name is Heinrich Meyer replied the
young man; 'one of those who wisely never re.
fuse the small benefit, because the larger one is
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?'
TO hunt for some cousins, was the answer
And pray who may they be?' asked the un.
known.
We'll, to tell you the truth, I have not an idea
who they are, or where to look for them. In.
deed, it is more than doubtful whether | have
so much as an acquaintance in Berlin, much less
q relation
The questioner-who should have been ar
American colonel-looked amused and aston
shed, as he suggested:
Surely, there must be some other motive fo,
your going to Berlin; or what could have pu
this idea into your head?'
why replied Heinrich, I have just become
clergyman, without the smallest chance of get
ting anything to do in my own ncighborhood
have no relative to he'll 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?'
well, now, who knows? Many of my fel-
low students have got good appointments, and
whenever / ask them to let me know how it was
done, the answer always is, ga cousin gave it
to me,' or II got it through the interest of a
cousin who lives at Berlin.' Now as | find
none of these useful cousins live in the country,
I must 60 without their help, or else hunt for
them in Berlin
This was all said in comical dry way, so that
his listener could not refrain from laughing, but
he made no comment. However, after he had
finished, he turned round to Heinrich, saying
that he observed he had been smoking, and that
he felt inclined to do the same, but had forgot
ten 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
out of his wallet, Immediately began to strike a
light. Now, it has been said that the evening
was damp-it was so damp that there was little
enough prospect of the finders lighting; more
over, the wind blew the sparks out almost be-
fore 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 stranger con-
descended, as he watched Heinrich's laborious
endeavors.
s"Nl despcrandum,' is my motto, answer
ed the young man; and when the words were
scarcely uttered, the light had been struck. In
his delight at succeeding, Heinrich jumped on
the carriage-step, and leaning through the win
dow, thrust the finder eagerly in the direction
Of the gentleman's face. 'Hurrah, sir, puff
away!
After 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:
1 have been thinking over what you have
been telling me; and, perhaps in humble way,
| might be able to assist you, and thus act the
part the cousin you are seeking. At tall events,
when you get to Berlin, take this note,' handing
him slip Of paper on which he had been wri-
ting; take this note to marshal Grumbkow, who
is somewhat of friend of mine, and who will,
| think, be glad to oblige me. But mind! do
eyact1y he hide Won ond ahido ctr;ct1u hv hic