New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-01-03
A Cousin in Masd.

a56.
a Cousin In Need.
On dreary autumn day, more than 8 hun
arsa a, years ago, heavy travelling carriage was
slowly ny numbering along the muddy road from
fotsdam to Berlin Within it was one person
o ohly, who took no heed Of the slowness Of the
sraEehng, but leaning back in corner, was
sinanglng multiplicity Of papers contained in
shaii portfolio, and making notes in pocket
po9h. once he was dressed in plain dark
uialtary -; Uniform, it was fair to suppose that
tu tnis gensleman belonged to the Prussian army,
pu' 70 "nlch grade Of it nobody could determine,
81 all .oRen OF rank had been avoided. a
uieary november evening was closing in and,
though the rain had for time ceased, yet dark
masses Of clouds flying through the sky gave
warning that weeping darkness" was at
hand. The road grew heavier and heavier.
at least 30 it should have seemed to q foot
traveller, who was ploughing his way through
its mlre; and 30, doubtless, it did seem to
the carriage horses, who at last aoundered
along 30 slowly that thepedestrian, whom thew
had oyertaken, kept easily at 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 port
folio and returned the pocket book to it's place
in the breast lining of his coat. He then roused
himself to- look out of the window, and Judge,
from the mud and dar knees, how far it might be
to Berlin. For the first time he perceived that
muddy young man was walking at 9 little
distance from bis horses Though more than
reasonably trayel-stained, he trudged on as
II his limbs were strong as his heart Light
Through the drizzle and the darkness, all that
could be seen of his face was sensible and good
tempered. Hehad just fnisheds pipe as he at
tracted the travellers attention, 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 follow
ing, and in rather an authoritative tone oi
voice.
''Hollo! young man, where 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; but if / find resting place
before get thereto that I am bound, for am
a-weary''
81 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
" Ii it please you to rest on the step of the
carriage for few minutes, you are welcome to
do so, Herr Whats-y -your-name'
stMy name is Heinrich Meyer" replied the
young man; y" one of those who wisely never
refuse the small benefit, because the larger one
is not to be obtained" He thankfully accepted
the not very clean place allotted him.
From inside the window the next question put
to Heinrich was
g What are you going to Berlin for p
"To hunt for some COUSINS was the reply.
:. 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, 1t is more than doubtful whether have
so much as an acquaintance in Berlin, much
less relation ~
The questioner--who should have been an
American colonel-looked amused and aston
ished, as he suggested:
"Surely there must be some other motive for
your going to Berlin; or, what could have put
this idea into your head?"
Why,'' replied Heinrich, &C have just be-
come clergyman, without the smallest chance
Of getting any thing to do i'm my oMn neighbour
| hood, 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?"
Well, now, who knows? Many of my fel.
| loW-students have got good appointments, and
| whenever asked them to let me know how il
vas done, the answer always was, "a cousin
gave it to me- or, I got it through the inter.
| est OF a cousin, who lives at Berlin Now, as
| lind none of these useful cousins live in the
| country, must go without their help, or else
| hunt for them in Berlin
| This was all said in comical, dry way, sc
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
hot hn oh br
had been smoking, and that he felt inclined to
do the same, but had forgotten to bring tinder
with him. Gould Herr Meyer oblige him with
light
Certainly, with great pleasure,'' was the
prompt reply; and Heinrich, taking q tinder-
box out of his wallet, Immediately began to
strike light Now, it has been said that the
evening was damp-it was so damp that there
seemed little enough prospect of the finders
lighting moreover, the wind blew the sparks
out almost before they fell.
"Well, if your cousins are not more easily to
be got at than your light is, pity you, young
| sir!' was the sole remark to which the stranger
| condescended, as he watched Heinrich's labori-
GUS endeayors.
"sNil desperandum is my motto" answered
| the young man; and when the words were
| scarcely uttered, the light had been struck In
his delight at succeeding, Heinrich jumped up
VI tlie cdiGlaSe-step, aUA leaning through the
| window, thrust the tinder eagerly in the direc-
tion of the gentleman's face. ss ssHurra, sir,
puff away! !'
After short pause, during which time the
stranger had been putting at his pipe, he remov-
| ed it from his mouth, and addressed Heinrich in
| this way:
81 have been thinking over what you have
been telling me; and perhaps, in humble way,
L 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; &c take this note to Marshal
Grumbkow, who is somewhat of a friend of
mine, and who will, 1 think, be glad to oblge
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 q kindness may, perhaps,
seem strange to you. And noW," he continued,
| as the road is improved, must hurry on the
horses, and so bid you good evening, hoping you
| will prosper in your new career"
| As Heinrich began to express his thanks for
| the good wishes of his unknown friend, the SIG
nal was given toincrease the speed of the horses
| and, before be had time to make any acknow-
| Judgments, he found himself alone again The
| young man was no little estonished at what had
taken place; aud as he gazed on the slip of pa
| per, could not help wondering whether any good
| would come of it. These were the only words