Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-02-08
an yntnistins stpru.
COUSIN an NEED.

Va oft8fy AUTUMN oays more
than hundred years ago, heavy
travelling carriage was slowly lum-
bsrine along The muddy road from
Potsdam to Berlin. Within it was one
person only. who took no heed ol
the slowness Of the travelling: but.
leaning back in corner, was arrang-
Ing . multiplicity Of papers contained
in q small portfolio, and making notes
in q pocket book. Since be Was dres-
sed "A . plain dark military uniform.
il was fair to suppose that this gentle
man belonged 10 the Prussian army,
but to which grade of It nobody could
determine. as all signs Of rank had
been avoided. A dreary November
evening was closing in. and. though
the rain had for q time ceased, yet
dark masses of clouds. flying through
the sky, gave warning that weep
ing darkness" was at hand. The
road grew hesvier and heavier-at
least % il should have seemed to a
foot traveller who was plowing his way
through its mire; and so. doubtless. Il
did seem 70 tie carriage horses. who
at last houndered along so slowly that
the pedestrian whom they had over
taken kept easily by the side Of the
coaeh-though at a respectful dis
lance. certainly. after the first bucket
ful 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 placesin the breast lining
Of bis coat. He then reused himself
TO look out of the window. and Judge,
from the mud and darkness. how far
it might be 10 Berlin. For the first
time be perceived that muddy young
man was walking at distance from
bis horses. Though more than rca-
sonably travel stained. he trudged on
as If his limbs were strong and his
heart light. Through the drizzle
and the darkness, all that could be
seen ofhis face was sensible and good
tempered. He had Just finished a
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
be heard himself addressed in the
manner following. and in rather an
authoritive tone Of voice.
s'Halloo! 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. Ny wish is to reach Berlin
bat il I lind a resting place before
get there--to that I am bound. for
am weary"
II should think you must have .
two hours walk before you" was tho
unsatisfactory remark that followed
The young man made no reply
and after a short pause the strangel
said:-- <a
lift plcsses you to rest on the steJ
Of the carriage for a few minutes. yol
are welcome to do 50. Herr What's
your name. .if
my name is Heinrich Meyer
replied the young man; "ony Of thos'
WHO wisely never refuse the small
benefit because the larger one Is no
to be obtained" He thankfully &C
cepted the not very clean place allot
ted to him.
From inside the window the mex
question put TO Heinrich was:--
"What are you going to Berlin for?
"To hunt for some cousins" wa
tie reply.
"And pray who may they be?'
asked the unknown. l t2
"Well, to tell you the truth, ! hav
not an idea who they are. or where {
look for them. Indeed, 1t is NOR
than doubtful whether I have s
much a. an acquaintance in Berlin
much less q relation. sr
The quessioncr-who should hav
been an American coIonel-looke'
amused and astonished as he suggest
Surely there must be some othe
motive for your going TO Berlin. Q
what could have pat this idea int
your head?" ~ s.