The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-08-25


stance wrought very material change
in the public estimation, and had the
mother and child remained here little
Pearl, at a marriageable period of life,
might have mingled her wild blood with
the lineage of the devoutest Puritan
among them all. But in no long time
after the physicians death the wearer
OF the scarlet letter disappeared. and
Pearl along with her.
For many years, though a vague re-
port would now and then find its way
across the sea-like shapeless piece of
driftwood tossed ashore with the initials
of name upon it-yet no tidings of
them unquestionably authentic We're re-
ceived The story of the scarlet letter
grew into a legend. Its spell, however,
was still potent and kept the scaffold
awful were the poor minister had died,
and likewise the cottage by the seashore,
where Hester Prynne had dwelt. Near
this latter spot one afternoon some chill
dren were at play, when they beheld
tall woman in a gray robe approach the
cottage door. In all those years it had
never once been opened; but either she
unlocked it or the decaying wood and
iron yielded to her hand, or she glided
shadowlilze through these impediments
and, at all events, went in.
On the threshold she paused-turned
partly around-for perchance the idea
of entering all alone and all so changed
the home of so intense former life was
more dreary and desolate than even she
could bear. But her hesitation was only
for an instant, though long enough to
~ La
And Hester Prynne had returned and
taken up her long forsalzen shame! But
where was little Pearl? If still alive
she must now have been in the flush
and bloom of early womanhood. None
knew-nor ever learned, with the full
ness Of perfect certainty-whether the
elf child had gone thus untimely to a
maiden grave, or whether her wild, rich
nature had been softened and subdued
and made capable of a woman's gentle
happiness. But through the remainder
of Hester's life there were indications
that the recluse of the scarlet letter was
the object of love and interest with
some inhabitant of another land. Let
tiers came with armorial seals upon
them, though of bearings unknown to
English heraldry.
In the cottage there were articles of
comfort and luxury such as Hester never
cared to use, but which only wealth
could have purchased and affection have
imagined for her. There were trifes
too-little ornaments, beautiful tokens
Of continual remembrance that must
have been wrought by delicate fingers,
at the impulse of fond heart. And
baby garment, with such lavish rich
ness of golden fancy as would have
raised a public tumult had any infant
thus appareled been shown to our sober
hued community.
In fine, the gossips Of that day be-
heved-and Mr.. Surveyor Pue, who
made investigations a century later, be-
heved, and one of his successors in Office,
moreover, faithfully believes that Pearl
was not only alive, but married and
happy and mindful of her mother, and
that she would most joyfully have en-
tertained that sad and lonely mother at
her freside.
But there was a more real life for
Hester Prynne here, in New England
than in that unknown region where
Pearl had found a home Here had
been her sin; here her sorrow, and here
was yet to be her penitence. She had
returned, therefore. and resumed-of
her own free will, for not the sternest
magistrate of that iron period would
have imposed it-resumed the symbol of
which we have related so dark tale.
Never afterward did it quit her bosom
But, in the lapse of the toilsome,
thoughtful and self devoted years that
made up Testers life, the scarlet letter
ceased to be stigma which attracted
the worlds scorn and bitterness. and be-
came type of something to be sorrowed
over and looked upon with awe, yet
with reverence too. And as Hester
Prynne had no selfish ends, nor lived in
any measure for her own profit and en-
joyment, people brought all their sor-
rows and perpIexities, and besought her
counsel, as one who had gone through Il
mighty trouble.
Women, more especially, in the con
tinually recurring trials of wounded
wasted, wronged, misplaced or eTT'ing
and sinful passion, or with the dreary
burden of a heart unyielded, because
unvalued and unsought, came to Hes
ter's cottage, demanding why they were
/ SO WTOEcuOOs anu VITAL TIC IC1AOO9 It's
! ter comforted and counseled them as
best she might She assured them, too.
! of her firm belief that at some brighter
period, when the world should have
grown ripe for it, in heavens own time
new truth would be revealed in order
! to establish the whole relation between
man and woman on a surer ground OF
mutual happiness.
i Earlier in life Hester had yainly i'm
agined that she herself might be the
destined prophecies. but had long since
recognized the impossbihty that any
! mission of divine and mysterious truth
| should be confded to a woman stained
with sin, bowed down with shame, or
/ even burdened with lifelong sorrow.
The angel and apostle of the coming
/ revelation must be q woman. indeed.
but lofty, pure and beautiful: and wise.
moreover. not through dnsky grief. but
the ethereal medium of joy. and show
| ing how sacred love should make rs
! happy By the truest test of a life sue