Chapter VII: Innocence of Youth

The midday sun hung high over head as a few white clouds streaked across the blue sky. It was one of those calm and pleasant midsummer afternoons. A young girl in a gray dress and white bonnet was skipping down the road towards the prison singing, "hanging, hanging, I wanna see a hanging. Hanging, hanging, I wanna see a hanging." This simple song was repeated over and over as the young girl grew ever closer to her destination.

When she finally arrived at the prison the girl picked up some small stones and held them in her tiny yet delicate hand. She knelt down by one of the open bared windows that looked into the basement dungeon of the prison and peering into the dark room beneath her the girl began to throw the small rocks in to the room yelling, "are you down there? You still alive?" A tired and hoarse voice replied, "yes I’m still down here. Now stop throwing rocks at me and tell me who you are." The girl responded, "I won't stop throwing rocks at you, because I don’t want to and you can’t make me letcher! Your specter still haunts my dreams and I can not rest until I see you dead."

The Letch now slowly walked towards the window and gazed up at his tormentor. Through the cracks the Letch could see part of a gray dress and a pair of tiny black buckle shoes attached to a slender set of legs. As the Letch admired the site before him a tiny hand threw a rock into the room which hit him on the head. The Letch cried out, "ouch! Will you please stop doing that, and tell me who you are." The girl now leaned forward and looked into the room, "remember me Letch?"

The Letch at once recognized the face. The girl’s delicate features and blond hair pulled back into her bonnet could only belong to one of Salem’s finest, and most revered children. The Letch hollered in excitement, "my dear sweet little Abigail Williams, oh why do you torment me so?"

"You know very well why. I know what you did to me, to the others. Now you will pay for your evil deeds." Abigail then proceeded to insult the Letch and with each slanderous name another rock was hurled at him, "Letch. Demon. Agent of Satan! You are the damned, but I am the elect. You will hang like the dog you are and when you burn in hell I shall look upon your eternal suffering from the glory of heaven." Abigail now threw her biggest rock at the Letch and hit him square in the head. The Letch staggered a bit and placed his left hand where the rock had hit. He felt a large cut across his scalp and when he pulled his hand away the fingers were covered in blood. Now the Letch confronted his attacker, "you are so sure that I am the damned, and you are the elect. Why?"

"Simple," replied Abigail, "because you’re in there and I’m out here."

"Oh Abigail, you were always so kind and sweet. You know you were my favorite." Abigail now hollered at the Letch and threw a fist full of dirt at his face, "I thought Ann Jr. was your favorite? We all know how you treated her." Abigail now sat down and took a small cake out of a small basket she had brought with her. The Letch watched her as she ate it, yearning for a piece of real food, and the small girl before him. "Abigail my sweet," inquired the Letch, "can I have some?" Abigail stopped eating for a moment and considered the Letch’s request, and as she did so she looked around her. Seeing a large stick nearby Abigail grabbed it and hid it behind her back and then with a devilish smile and a tone of pure sincerity Abigail answered the Letch, "I guess I can give you some of it, but you have to come and get it."

"You can just come in hear my darling little Abigail and give it to me. I won't hurt you."

"I don't think so Letch!" hollered Abigail; "I know all your cruel and wicked games. If you want some of my lunch then you will have to come over to this window and get it." Abigail now put a rather large piece of the cake in full view of the Letch, but just out of his reach. The Letch walked over to the window and stood on his toes so that he could reach his hand out the window in an attempt to grab his snack and maybe even be able to touch the young Abigail. Abigail's keen eyes watched as the shackled hand crept from between the bars and then just when it was about to grab the bait she left for it she swung hard with the stick and whacked the Letch's hand repeatedly.

"Take that you stupid letcher, and that, and that. I'll teach you to mess with me!"

The Letch quickly pulled his hand back in the window. It was all bloody and bruised in places, and several fingers appeared to be broken. "Abigail Williams" the Letch cried out in pain", you can't be one of the elect. You are too cruel and heartless."

"Blaspheme!" hollered Abigail as she threw another fist full of dirt at the Letch, "take that you slanderous heathen. I hope you choke on your lying tongue!"

Just then the door to the prison opened and a tall young man stepped out. He was clad head to toe in black. His black knee length doublet covered his black trousers, and his black buckle shoes shimmered in the sunlight. On his head rested a black wool wide brimmed hat and a pair of black leather gauntlets was held in his strong and firm left hand. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the young girl in the gray dress kneeling by the barred window. Abigail's face lit up with excitement as she giggled in her high pitched childish voice; "he's here. He's here! Oh I just knew he'd be here. I knew it. Oh, he's so strong, attractive, and wealthy. He's so unlike you Letch, and to think that if it wasn't for that little Ann Putnam Jr. he would be all mine." From his prison below the Letch inquired, "Abigail my dear, who is it that comes this way?" Abigail sighed and spoke in a soft yet flattering voice, "the headsmen. He's come to drag your cursed hide to hell!"

Abigail now turned to face the object of her affection that was standing on the steps speaking to the sheriff, "see how he stands there so elegantly in his new black outfit. Oh, if only he would come and talk to me. That's it! I'll go and hide for now, and when he comes by I'll follow him. I can't let him see me here waiting for him, especially with you Letch. Such a thing would not be proper, not at all." Abigail got up and quickly brushed the dirt off of her dress and ran to the corner of the prison just out of sight and waited for the headsmen to pass by. Then she planned to follow him and hopefully be able to talk to her favorite person in Salem Village, the executioner.

The young man in black now prepared to leave and walked past the bared window by which the young girl was sitting only moments ago. In his prison the Letch could hear the sounds of footsteps coming closer to the window. He ran towards it so that he could look out onto the road. Sure enough a young man dressed all in black was headed his way, however the black hat was pulled over the face making it impossible to recognize who it could be. The Letch hollered out, "you there sir, a moment if you don't mind." The young man stopped, "are you talking to me?"

"Yes sir I am. Are you the headsmen everyone speaks so highly of?"

"Maybe I am. What's it to you?"

"Please sir I want to know. Are you the headsmen?"

"Yes."

" They say that if I am found guilty then I might hang. Is that true?"

"For you Letch death is inevitable. Does it really matter how he comes? Weather by cold damp night in prison, or at the end of my rope Death will find you. All that really matters is why he was sent to claim your soul and if you fear its fate."

"Souls, ha you sound more like a minister than an administer of death." The headsman just laughed, "a minister you say. How observant we are today. Well in a way Letch you are correct because at one time I was almost a minister."

"Well if I do hang sir Headsmen, or Minister, what ever, or who ever you are then I just might have to forgive you for your most serious sin."

"What would that be?"

"You would kill and innocent man."

The headsmen just stood there silently for a moment as if contemplating his reply. He leaned forward and looked at the chained prisoner in the cell below him. Quietly in a tone just above a whisper the headsmen finally replied, "Oh, I am afraid you are mistaken Letch. Should you be delivered unto my hands I am afraid that yours will be the first truly guilty neck I'll break all summer."

Standing back up the headmen kicked some dirt into the cell below him, "I am sorry if I am not in a more sociable mood today Letch, but I really must be on my way for you see I have some work to do still today. Don't waste your time fretting however, for I will see you soon at your trial."

"My trail", the Letch was slightly nervous, "you, you are going to my trial?"

"Oh of course I am going to your trial", replied the headsmen with a hint of glee in his voice, "who knows I might even testify against you."

David Robertson then turned his back on the Letch and the prison as he started walking back towards the Putnam farm. It was not long however before he noticed a young girl in a gray dress following him. David turned around to confront his stalker, "Abigail Williams, aren't you a little far from home?" Abigail pretended that she was startled, "oh ah David. Hi. I'm surprised to run into you here. By the ah prison I mean."

"Yes I'm sure you are, but as for my question." Abigail paused for a moment, "yes well I suppose I am, but I am headed that way now, home that is. Do you mind if I join you?"

"If that is what you wish." Abigail's face lit up and she let out a slight giggle as she slowly walked by David's side, "so David, I see that you are wearing your new outfit that Mercy and the others made for you. Mercy was right, it fits you rather well, and if you don't mind me saying so it looks very dignified and is well suited for someone of your position and stature."

"Your right, it is a very nice outfit and is well suited for both my jobs though I must confess to you Abigail that I enjoy the ministry work far more than the other."

Abigail now noticed the pair of black leather gauntlets that she had made for David clutched in his left hand, "of course the gauntlets, while not required for tasks such as yours do come in handy?"

"Yes they do."

"Even though they are not as perfect as the doublet they are adequate for your needs?" David turned and faced the young girl beside him; "they are very nice Abigail. One of the finest pairs I have seen and I am glad to own them, even more so knowing that you made them for me." Abigail's face turned blush as she let out another giggle, "thank you David, I am glad that you like them." David and Abigail now were silent for a while as they continued down the road. After some time Abigail continued the conversation, "David, since you are wearing your new outfit I am assuming that you are working today."

"I had a meeting with the sheriff and magistrates today and felt that it would be fitting to wear this."

"And what was the meeting about."

"That does not concern you."

The two now neared a small grove of trees, and the shade offered some relief from the midday heat. Abigail pretended to be tired and sat down in the cool green grass and convinced David to join her. As they sat under the small grove a light breeze blew and cooled them off while above their heads a few birds could be heard singing. Abigail amused herself by picking some wildflowers that were growing by an old stump by the side of the road. David tired from his busy day laid down and using a log as a pillow placed his hat over his head to take a nap. He was about to fall asleep when he noticed Abigail kneeling beside him, "David."

"What do you want now Abigail?"

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"You've been asking me questions all afternoon. What else do you want to know?" Abigail nervously looked around the area and David could tell by the look in her eye that she was up to no good, "have you ever seen him David?"

"Seen who Abigail?"

"You know," Abigail paused for a moment, "the Devil." David was both startled and disturbed by this question, "Abigail, when would I see the Devil?" Abigail's young face lit up with excitement and curiosity, "I've heard stories that when headsmen like you kill people the Devil comes to the killing grounds that night to claim the wicked souls of the condemned and bring them back to hell. Are the stories true David? Well are they? Please David, tell me if they are true I want to know. Have you seen the Devil?"

David was speechless for a moment, "If I tell you the truth Abigail you must promise me that you will never speak of this to no one."

"Oh don't worry David I won't tell anyone. I'd never do anything you didn't want me to do."

"Yes Abigail the stories are true and I have seen the Devil, many times." Abigail almost jumped up and down with excitement; "I knew it. I knew it. Oh Betty and some of the others didn't believe me, but I told them, oh I told them good. I knew the stories were true. Of course you know that is why people fear you David, because you have seen the Devil and have power over him. However, I'm not afraid of you David. I have nothing to hide." Abigail again looked about her nervously and then continued her interrogation, "David, what does he look like?"

"The Devil?"

"Of course the Devil!"

"I thought you already knew what he looked like?"

Abigail was now very nervous, "I've, I've ne never seen the Devil. How, how wh would I know what he looks like David?"

"I thought that Tituba told you what he looked like?"

"Tituba is a witch!"

"I know and she told you what the Devil looks like."

"You can't prove that, and please don't tell anyone."

"Don't worry I wont."

David closed his eyes and tired to fall asleep again. Abigail moved around a little but always kept an eye on the young man sleeping by the edge of the road. Seeing a small feather Abigail picked it up and slowly crept towards the sleeping David Robertson. She knelt down besides him and was about to tickle his nose with the feather when a stern voice called out, "what do you want now?" Abigail jumped back, now realizing that David was awake. In a startled voice she responded, "I, I just wanted you to tell me a story."

"What story?"

"About what happens when the Devil comes to claim the souls of the wicked."

David sat up and stretched a bit. He let out a yawn and turned to look at the young girl siting beside him. Abigail Williams sat there quietly on the grass. Her white apron cover was grass stained and sprinkled with the petals that she had pulled off of the flowers she had picked. Her face shined with the curiosity common to children her age, yet in Abigail's case it was an extreme curiosity about very macabre and morbid matters. David looked at her in bazaar fascination; "you really want to know?" Abigail's expression slowly changed to that of a hungry dog begging for a treat as her eyes widened, mouth opened and tongue panted as she nodded her head in agreement. David lay back down and reached for his hat, "I don't think your uncle would approve of me telling you such stories"

Abigail was shocked by David's response. How did he know what her uncle the Reverend Samuel Paris would approve of? Granted David had met the Reverend Paris a few times and had been granted permission to give scripture lessons, but still the issue was not would Mr. Paris approve of the story or not, the main issue is why would he have to know if David told the story or not. One thing was for sure Abigail was not going to take no for an answer. She sat down next to David and leaned back so that her back was resting on David's chest. Then turning on her side Abigail put her arms around David's neck and burrowed her face in to his coat while occasionally nudging David's head with her own and pretending to cry. This continued for a few minutes until finally David's patients wore out. He turned to face Abigail and she gave him a pitiful look of despair, batted her eyes and whispered, "please David, just one little story." David shook his head and sighed, "you are a very strange child Abigail Williams, strange but I will humor you, but you have to promise that you never tell anyone what I tell you."

Abigail agreed to David's demands and she quietly sat in front of him, her light blue eyes simmered with excitement with every word that David spoke. David sat up and leaning against a tree, cleared his throat and began his story, "as the sun begins to set in the western sky a slight tremor begins. Small cracks appear in the ground and fire spews forth from the depths below. Bats, rats, and other vermin then crawl out of the cracks and swarm about. Then come the demons, ghouls, and legions of doom; all spirits from hell. At last comes the Devil with his demonic entourage. The Devil comes to me and sings my praise and shows me the names of the condemned in his book of the damned. I then climb the ladder and cut the ropes and the bodies fall to the ground. When they hit the ground flames shoot up all around as the souls slowly sink to hell. Once the souls are in hell the Devil and all the other spirits go back into the cracks and return to hell."

Abigail's face was full of delight, "tell me more David. I want to know more about the Devil and the fate of the damned. Teach me what you know."

"There will be no more stories today Abigail. I have much work to do and I am very late." David got up and started walking again down the road. Abigail jumped up and ran after him, "are you going to the hanging tree to work? I can help you. I can climb ladders and coil rope. I'm not afraid to go there. I can help you David, please David, let me help you. I'm a hard worker. See look at my hands." Abigail held out her tiny hands to let David look at them. He held her small delicate hands to examine them closer. Abigail blushed a little as David looked over every inch of her hands. David shook his head; "all I see are the hands of a little girl. A little girl who sweeps, sews, and cooks. I don't see the hands of a hard laborer." Abigail was upset, "why can't I go with you to the hanging tree?" David laughed, "because I'm not going to the hanging tree. I've been preoccupied with other jobs for over a week and Mr. Putnam has a lot of chores that I have to catch up on."

Abigail was furious, "fine then leave me! You mustn't keep your precious little Ann waiting." Turning to return to her house Abigail felt David's firm hand on her shoulder, "Abigail why are you so mad at me? It is not that I want to go. I have a lot of work to do and I can't be late. I will see you latter and when I do I can tell you more stories." Abigail was elated, "Really! You promise?"

"Yes, I promise." David gave Abigail a small hug, "good bye Abigail Williams. I shall see you latter." Abigail blushed and stood on her toes to give David a kiss on his cheek. She looked him in the eyes and smiled, "Farewell Mr. Robertson. I look forward to our next meeting." Abigail then turned towards her home and started skipping down the road. As he stood by the grove of trees David Robertson could hear a faint childish voice singing, "hanging, hanging I wanna see a hanging." David just laughed and shook his head, "ah the innocence of youth."