San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-06-18
CHAPTER VII
THE LEIGH,

/ IOTIper Wedrer mao; resolved SnOulu never
more be spoken. 1t has been related
how, in the crowd that witnessed Hester
Prynne's ignominious exposure, stood a
man, elderly, travel worn, who, just
emerging from the perilous wilderness,
beheld the woman, in whom he hoped to
| find embodied the warmth and cheerful
ness of home, set up as type of sin be-
fore the people. Her matronly fame was
trodden under all mems feet. Infamy
was babbling around her in the public
market place. For her kindred, should
| the tidings ever reach them, and for the
companions of her unspotted life there
remained nothing but the contagion of
her dishonor, which would not fail to be
distributed in strict accordance. and pro-
! portion with the intimacy and sacred
ness of their previous relationship.
Then why-since the choice was with
himself-should the individual, whose
connection with the fallen woman had
been the most intimate and sacred of
them all, come. forward to yindicate his
claim to an inheritance so little desir-
able? He resolved not to be pilloried
beside her on her pedestal of shame
Unknown to all but Hester Prynne, and
possessing the lock and key of her
silence, he chose to withdraw his name
from the roll of mankind, and, as re-
garded his former ties and interests, to
vanish out of life as completely as if he
indeed lay at the bottom of the ocean,
whittier rumor had long ago consigned
him. This purpose once effected, new
interests would Immediately spring up,
and likewise a new purpose; dark, it is
true, if not guilty, but of force enough
to engage the full strength of his facul-
ties.
In pursuance of this resolve he took
up his residence in the Puritan town, as
Roger Chillingworth, without other in
PRODUCTION than the learning and intelu.
gence of which he possessed more ts,su
common measure. AS his studies al
previous period of his life had made hin
extensively acquainted with the medical
science of the day, it was as physician
that he presented himself, and as such
was cordially received. Skillfhl men of
the medical and chirurgical profession
were of rare occurrence in the colony.
\ \
His form grew emaciated; his voice,
though still rich and sweet, had a GER
tain melancholy prophecy of decay in it.
He was often observed on any slight
alarm or other sudden accident to put
his hand over his heart, with first a
flush and then paleness, indicative of
pain.
Such was the young ciergyman's con-
dition, and so imminent the prospect
that his dawning light would be extin-
guished, all untimely, when Roger
Chillingworth made his advent to the
town. His first entry on the scene, few
people could tell whence, dropping
down, as it were, out of the sky or
starting from the neither earth, had an
aspect of mystery which was easily
heightened to the miraculous. He was
now known to be man of skill. 1t was
observed that he gathered herbs and
the blossoms of wild flowers, and
dug up roots and plucked off twigs from
the forest trees, like one acquainted
with hidden virtues in what was value
less to common eyes.
He was heard to speak of Sir Kenelm
Digby and other famous men-whose
scientific attainments were esteemed
hardly less than supernatural hav:
ing been his correspondents or associates.
Why, with such rank in the learned
world, had he come hither? What could
he, whose sphere was in great cities, be
seeking in the wilderness? In answer
to this query rumor gained ground
and, however absurd, was entertained
by some very sensible people-that
heaven had wrought an absolute miracle
by transporting an eminent doctor of
physic from German university bodily
through the air and setting him down
at the door of Mr.. Dimmesdales study!
Individuals of wiser faith, indeed, who
knew that heaven promotes its purposes
without aiming at the stage effect of
what is called miraculous interposition,
were inclined to see providential hand
in Roger Chillingworth's SO opportune
arrival.
This idea was countenanced by the
strong interest which the physician ever
manifested in the young clergyman; he
attached himself to him as a parishioner,
and sought to win friendly regard and
confidence from his naturally reserved
sensibility. He expressed great alarm
at his pastors state of health, but was
anxious to attempt the cure, and, if
early undertaken, seemed not despond-
ent of favorable result. The elders,
the deacons, the lnotherly DANES and.
the young and fair maidens of Mr.. Dim
mesdale's flock were alike importunate
that he should make trial of the physi-