Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-10-28
Miscellaneous.
A Cousin in Need.

on drcary autumn day. more than
\ Kindred years ago. a heavy travel
ing carriage was slowly numbering
alone the muddy road from Po,sdam 10
Berlin. Within il was one person only.
who took no heed OF the slowness of
the travelling, but leaning back in a
corner WAS arranging n multiplicity of
papers in small portfolio, aud max
ing notes in pocket-book. Since he
was dressed in plain black military
uniform, 1t was fair To suppose tha,
this gentleman belonged to the Prus-
sian army but 10 which grsde Of it no.
body couId determine, as all tokens OF
rank had been avoided. A dreary No
'cinbcr evening was closing in and
though the rain had for time ceased.
yet dark masses ofclouds dying through
the sky. gave warning that weeping
darkness, WAS al hand. The road grew
heavier and heavier; AT least. so il
would have seemed 10 a foo, traveller
who Was ploughing his way through the
mire ; and 50. doubtless, il seemed 10
the carriage horses. who at last iioun-
dered along 50 slowly that the pedes-
TRAN whom they had ovcrtaken kept
easily by the side OF the coach. though
ai respectful distance, certainly. al
ter the first bucketful of mud that it
splashcd over him. The gentleman in
side the coach. when he could see no
longer. shu, up his portfolio and re-
turned the pocket-book 10 lis place in
the breast lining of his coat He then
reused himself 10 leok out Of the win
dow and judge from the mud and the
darkness. how far it might he 10 Be.-
lin. For the first time he perceived
that muddy young man was walking
at a little distance from his horses
Though more than reasonably travel
stained, he trudged on as if his limbs
were strong and his heart light. All
that could be seen OF his face through
the driZZle and darkness was sensible
and good natured. He had lust finish
ed pipe as he attracted the travellers
attention, and was in the act of shak-
ing out the ashes and replacing it in a
wallet slung over his back, when he
heard himself addressed in the follow
ing manner, and in rather an authorita-
tive tone of voice.
''IIolloa. young man. whittier are
you bound this stormy night: =
This is more than l can tell you,
not being at home in this part of the
world. Ny wish is to reach Berlin:
but if find a resting place before l
get there, 10 that ! am bound, for am
weary
Il should think you must have two
hours walk before you, was the unsat-
isfactory remark that follow ed.
The young man made no reply, and
after short pause the stranger said:
IF it please you to rest on the step
of the carriage for few moments YOU
are welcome so TO do, Herr, what's
your name:'
MY name is Heinrich Meyer" re-
plis.i the young man, one Of those who
wisely never refuses the smaller benefit
because the larger one is not to be oh
tained. lie thankfully accepted 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 tue truth, have
not an idea who they are, nor where TO
look for them. Indeed, it is more than
doubtful whether have SO much as an
acquaintance in Berlin, much less re-
iatiOn.
The questioner, who should have
been an American Colonel, looked
amused and astonished as he suggest
ed:
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 small