Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-28
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A COUSIN In NEED.

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dred years ago. heavy travelling carriage
was slowly numbering along the nudv road
rom Potsdam to Berlin. Within il was ono
person only, who took no heed TO the slow
ness ol the travelling but leaning back in
corner, was arranging a multiplicity of papers
contained IN small portfolio, and making
notes IN pocket-book. Since he was dressed
III PLAIN dark military uniform il was fair
TO suppose that this gentleman belonged IN
the Prussan army, but to which grade of II
nobody could determine, as all token Of rank
had been avoided. A dreary November eve
nlng 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
Inc road grew heavier and heaYier-at least
20 y should have seemed 10 foot traveller
who was ploughng his way through its mire.
and so, doubtless it did seem to the carriage
horses, who at last foundered along SO slow
ly that the pedestrian, whom they had over
taken, kept easily by the side of the coach
though at u respectful distance, certainly. af-
Ter the first bueketfu 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 pCcketbool 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
Tar 1t might be to Berlin For the first time
he perceived that muddy young man was
walking at a little distance from his horses
Enough more than reasonably traveled-stained
he trudged on as if his limbs were strong as
ms heart light Through the drizzle and
darkness, all that could be seen of his face wac
sensible and good.tempered He had lust
finished pipe as he attracted the travellers
attention, and was in the act of shaking ont
the ashes and replacing the pipe in a wallet
slung over his back, when he heard himself
addressed in the manner following, and in
rather authoritative tone of voice
Hollo young man, whittier are you bound
this stormy-looking night?"
" hat rs more than | can tell you, not be-
ing at home in this part Of the world. Nv
wish is to reach Berlin; but if | find a. rest
ing place before get thereto that am
bound, for am weary"
=" should think you must have \ two
hours walk before you" was the unsatisfac-
tory remark that followed.
The young man made no reply, and after n
short pause, the stranger said.
III u pleases you to rest on the step of
tho carriage for few moments you are well
come so to do, Herr what's your name"
My name is Heinrich Meyer" replied the
JN"hH man oilt vi llOSe VINO never retuSp
the smallest 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
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, IL 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 as
tonished, 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, "I have Just
become clergyman, without the smallest
chance OF getting anything to do in my own
neighborhood, have no relative to help me,
and not quite money enough to find me ne
cessares."
But" said the Prussian, "what on earth
has this to do with cousins in Berlin p
"Well, now, who knows? Many of my
fellow-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 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 without their
help, or else hunt for them in Berlin"
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 round to Heinrich saying that he OBJ
served he had been smoking and tn at he felt
inclined to do the same, but he 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 light. Now, it has been said that
the evening was damp, that there seemed
little enough prospect Of the finders light
ing; moreover, the wind blew the sparks
out almost before they fell.
We'll, If your cousins are no more easily
to be got at than your light, | pity you,
young SIM was the sole remark to which the
stranger condescended, as he watched Helm
rich,s laborious endeavors.
~Nil despeTandum' 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, Helm
rich jumped on the carriage-step, and lean
ing through the window, thrust the finder
eagerly in the direction of the genleman's
face, saying-'Hurra, sir, puff awayr
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:
al have been thinking over what you have
been telling me; and, perhaps, in an humble
way, 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, "take this note
10 Marshal Grumbkow, who is somewhat a
friend of mine, and who will, think, be glad
to obige me- But mind do exactly as he
bid you, and abide strictly by his advice
II 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 kindness,
nav 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 signal was given to increase the speed oil