The minister stepped down from the pedestal clenching his chest, and the Governor and magistrates and the other holy ministers walked before him through the crowds, and they parted before them like the Red Sea. The leaders walked out into the market place where then the reverent silence had become an outburst of joyous shouts and music. The whole town burst with symphonious feeling louder than the roar of the sea and thunder of the sky. I began to push through the crowds again to follow the minister who looked to have a halo of holiness about his head as he stammered down the path. The shout died down to a murmur when people caught a glimpse of the minister that had spoken. His face was lifeless and paler than ever before, and it seemed as if he was to fall any minute, but he continued walking. Another minister offered to give support, but he refused the help. I think he said something, but I was not close enough to hear the exchange of words. The ghastly minister turned and looked in the direction of the scaffold holding out his arms as to beckon someone. A small child wrapped herself around the legs of the beckoning minister and the adulteress of the town followed, but before the woman reached him, the old physician, with a look of evil in his eyes, thrust himself upon the minister and looked as if he were speaking. Everyone stood in silence, but yet I still could not hear them. The minister wrapped his arm around the adulteress for support and walked up upon the scaffold with the old physician following. At this point the crowd was outraged that a man of such worthiness would touch such an unholy woman. A conversation was held between the ones upon the scaffold, but again I was still too far away to hear. Then the minister spoke and his voice was heard through out the crowd. He confessed before the whole town and holy officials that he was the father of the adulteress’ illegitimate child. He fought against the weakness of his body and expelled his words for all to hear. I could not believe my ears. The minister, whom had previously had been so full of life and vigor, laid his head upon the bosom of the woman with the scarlet letter imprinted upon her breast, and lifelessness then overcame his body.

            It is still so fresh in my mind, and I do not know exactly what happened. I am confused and uncertain. I will have to talk with others around town to see if I can find out more about what happened. Possibly those closer to the scaffold would have heard the conversation going on. I hope you are doing well back in England. Farewell and God be with you.

Sincerely your brother,

Joseph