Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда

           ’

           ThecollectionofDurfee-Arnoldletters,discoveredbyCharlesWardshortlybeforehisfirstreputedmadnessintheprivatecollectionofMelvilleF.Peters,Esq.,ofGeorgeSt.,andcoveringthisandasomewhatantecedentperiod,throwsvividlightontheoutragedonetopublicsentimentbythisill-assortedmatch.ThesocialinfluenceoftheTillinghasts,however,wasnottobedenied;andoncemoreJosephCurwenfoundhishousefrequentedbypersonswhomhecouldneverotherwisehaveinducedtocrosshisthreshold.Hisacceptancewasbynomeanscomplete,andhisbridewassociallythesuffererthroughherforcedventure;butatalleventsthewallofutterostracismwassomewhattorndown.Inhistreatmentofhiswifethestrangebridegroomastonishedbothherandthecommunitybydisplayinganextremegraciousnessandconsideration.ThenewhouseinOlneyCourtwasnowwhollyfreefromdisturbingmanifestations,andalthoughCurwenwasmuchabsentatthePawtuxetfarmwhichhiswifenevervisited,heseemedmorelikeanormalcitizenthanatanyothertimeinhislongyearsofresidence.Onlyonepersonremainedinopenenmitywithhim,thisbeingtheyouthfulship’sofficerwhoseengagementtoElizaTillinghasthadbeensoabruptlybroken.EzraWeedenhadfranklyvowedvengeance;andthoughofaquietandordinarilymilddisposition,wasnowgainingahate-bred,doggedpurposewhichbodednogoodtotheusurpinghusband.

           OntheseventhofMay,1765,Curwen’sonlychildAnnwasborn;andwaschristenedbytheRev.