San Andreas independent., 1856-12-06
A Cousin i'm Need.

uy ROAD from FOtSdam to Berlin. w thin
it, was one person only, who took no heed
of the slowness of the travelling: but, lea
ming back in corner, was arranging a
multiplicity of papers contained in small
portfolio, and making notes in pocket
book Since he was dressed in a plain
dark military uniform, it was fair to sup
pose that this gentleman belonged to the
Prussian army, but to which grade of it no
one could determine, as all tokens Of rank
had been avoided. A dreary 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, so it should have seemed to a
foot traveller who was ploughing his way
through its mire; and SO, doubtless, it did
seem to the carriage horses, who at last
foundered along SO slowly that the pedes-
trian whom they had overtaken kept easily
by the side of the coach-though at Il re-
spectful 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 ritmight be to Berlin For
the first time, he perceived that muddy
young man was walking at little distance
from his horses. Though more than rea-
sonably travel-stained, he trudged as if his
limbs were strong and his heart light
Through the drizzle and the darkness all
that could be seen of his face was sensible
and good tempered "a cultivated mind.
He had just finished pipe as he attracted
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 following, and in rather an author
itative tone of voice:
'Hollo young man, whittier are you
bound this stormy looking night 2"
"That is more that | can tell you, not
being at home in this part Of the world.
Ny wish is to reach Berlin; but if | find
q resting place before | get thereto that
| am bound, for | am a-weary."
~ should think you must have two
hours walk before you" was the unsatis-
factory remark that followed.
The young man madeno reply, and after
short pause the stranger said =
If it pleases you to rest on the step of
the carriage for few minutes, you are
welcome so to do, Herr Whats-vour- name" +"
My name is Heinrich Meyer" replied
the young man; "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 to him.
From inside the window the next ques-
ton 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 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 acquain-
tance in Berlin, much less relation"
The questioner-who should have been
an American Colonel-looked amused and
astonished, as he suggested;-
Surely there must be some other motive
for you going to Berlin; or what could
have put this idea into your head?"
Why" replied Heinrich, ~ have just
become clergyman, without the smallest
chance of getting anything to Go in my
own neighborhood 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 Ber-
linz"
"Well, now, who knows? Many Of my
fellow-students have got good appoint
ments, and whenever asked them to let
me know how it was done, the answer al
ways was,-sA cousin gave it to me" OF
9 [ got it through the interest of cousin,
who lives at Berlin = Now, as / find none
of these useful cousins live in the country,
| must go with out 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 he pulled out piece of paper,
and began to write upon it. When he
had finished, he turned round to Helm
rich, 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 a light?
Certainly, with great pleasure" was
the prompt reply; and Heinrich, taking a
tinder-box out Of his wallet, Immediately
began to strike light. Now, it has been
said, that the evening was damp,-it was