The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-02-14
GBe 9ailg 9ournal.
From Dickens Household Words.l
COUSIN HUNTING
OR the kimg,s Text.


slowly numbering along the muddy road from
Potdam to Berlin. Within it was one person
only, who took no heed of the slowness of the
travelling; but leaning back in corner, was
Arranging multiplicity of papers contained
in small portfolio, and making notes in a
Ipocketbook. Since he was dressed in plain
dark military uniform, it was fair to suppose
that this gentleman belonged to the Prussian
army, but to which grade of it nobody could de-
termine, as all tokens of rank had been avoided
4 dreary November evening was closing in;
and though the rain had tor 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 SO it should have seemed to foot
traveller who was plowing his way through its
mire; and so, doubtless, it did seem to the car
riage horses, who at last houndered along so
slowly that the pedestrian whom they had
overtaken kept easily by the side of the coach
though at a respectful distance, certainly af-
ter the first basketful of mud that it splashed
over him. The gentleman inside the coach,
when he could see 10 longer, shut UP his port
folio, and returned the pocket book to its place
in the breast lining of his coat. He then reused
himselfto 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 travelstained, 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 attention, and was in
the act of shaking out the ashes and replacing
kha in, Iak eli hoo
he heard himself addressed in the manner fol-
lowing, and in rather an authoritative tone of
| voice:
"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; but if find resting-p place
before I get there, to that / am bound for
am aweary" ~
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
''If it pleases you to rest on the step Of the
carriage for few minutes, you are welcome
to do so, Herr What's-your-nam .. d.
"My name is Heinrich Meyer" replied the
young man; zone of those who wisely never
refuse the small benefit because the larger one
is not to be obtained" He thankfully ac-
cepted 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 an
swer. t..-.-..
"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
have so much as an acquaintance in Berlin,
much less relation -
The questioner-who should have been an
American Colonel-looked amused and aston
Iished, as he suggested .. -- ....... ...
Surely there must be some other motive
for your going to Berlin; or what could have
put this idea in your head?' ~" ~ 4lH
why replied Heinrich, II have just be-
come clergyman, without the smallest chance
of getting anything to Go in my own neigh
borhood; l have no relative to help me- and
not quite money enough to find me in neces-
saries." at a@ a rl9ta a- rrs
"But,o said the Prussian, "what on earth has
this to do with cousins in Berlin?'
"Well, now, who knows? Many ofmy fell
low students have got good appointments, and
whenever | asked them to let me know how it
was done the answer always was-A cousin
gave it to me- or, 4 got it through the inter
est of cousin, who lives at Berlin Now, as
find none of these useful cousins living in
the country, | must go without their help, orI
else hunt for them in Betlin.''
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
around to Heinrich, saying that he observed
he had been smoking, and that he felt inclined
to do the same, but had forgotten to bring tin
der 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 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.
'tWell, 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 stran-
ger condescended, as he watched Heinrichs
laborious endeavors.
Nil desperandum is my motto" answered
the young man; and when the words were
scarcely uttered, the light had been struck In
his delight at success, Heinrich jumped upon
the carriage-step, and leaning through the
window, thrust the tinder eagerly in the direc-
ton of the gentleman face. "Hurra, sir, puff
awayl"
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:
"I have been thinking over what. you have