Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-12-02
COUSIN HUNTING;
OR
THE KINGS TEXT.

On a dreary autumn day, more than
hundred years ago, heavy travelling car
riage was slowly numbering along tht
muddy road from POtsdam TO Berlin
! Within it was one person only, who tool
no heed Of the slowness of the travelling
/ but, leaning back in q acorner, was arrang
ing multiplicity of papers contained in
small portfolio, and making notes in q
pocket book. Since he was dressed in 8
plain dark military uniform, it was fair tC
suppose that this gentleman belonged to
the Prussian army, but to which grade OF
it nobody could determine, as all tokens
of rank had been avoided A dreary No.
vember evening was closing in; and tho
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
heaviet-at least so it should have seemed
to foot-traveler who was blowing his
way through its mire; and so, doubtless,
il did seem to the carriage 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 respectable distance, certain
ly, at the first basketful of mud it splash
ed 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 it might be TO
Berlin For the first time he perceived
that muddy young man was walking at
little distance from his horses. Though
more than reasonably travel stained, he
trudged on as if his limbs We're strong and
his heart light. Through the drizzle and
the darkness all that could be seen of his
face was sensible and good tempered
He had just finished pipe as he attract
ed 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 au-
lucrative tone of voice:
Halo! young man, whittier are you
bound this stormy looking nightY
That is more than l can tell, not being
at home in this part OF the world. Ny
wish is TO reach Berlin; but if find a
resting place before get there, TO that
am bound, for am weary
i should think you must have two
hours walk before yOu,' was the unsatis-
factory remark that followed.
The young man made no reply, and af-
ter 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
name
NV name is Heinrich Meyer replied
the young man; one of those who 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 bes' asked the
unknown.
Well, to tell 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 acquaint-
ance in Berlin, much less a relation.
The ouestioner-who should have been
an American Colonel-looked amused
and astonished, as he suggested
Surely there must be some other mo-
tive for your going to Berlin; or what
could have put this idea into your head!'
Why, replied Henrick, 4 have just
become aclergymap, 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 in necessaries.
But said the Prussian, what on earth
has this to do with cousins in BerlinY
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-'A cousin gave it to me, or, Il
got il through the interest OF a 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 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 10 write upon 1t. When he
had finished, he turned around TO Hen
rich saving that he observed he had been
smoking, and that he felt inclined to do
the same, but had forgotten to bring TN
der with him. Could Herr Meyer oblIge
him with a light?
Certainly, with great pleasure, was the
prompt replys and Heinrich, taking TN
der-box out of his wallet, Immediately be-
-, e., s+,;I,a a Iiol,t Now. IL has been