Crucible Epilogue

Epilogue for Reverend Hale

            The horrid hangings had finally ended in Salem along with the witch trials. The town was once more a tranquil place but this peace had cost the lives of many. There would be a scar forever gouged through the back bone of Salem society. Reverend Hale had taken some of the blame upon himself for the trials. He later figured that it was his undertaking to preach to the world about the fictitious beliefs in witchcraft. Reverend Hale then set out on his valiant expedition with the thought of accomplishing his goal engraved in his mind.

            It was a bright and sunny, Saturday morning in Salem. The birds were singing their early morning tunes and the town was alive as usual. Bitter goodbyes were exchanged between Hale and Parris in the brisk morning air. Hale would soon be on his way, dedicated to spreading his true thoughts on the topic of witchcraft. With the crack of a whip his carriage began to roll out of Salem were he could not bear to live much longer. Hale was destined for Beverly, Massachusetts that was his hometown and where his wife Sarah Hale was living. Here Hale would rest and acquire the supplies needed to begin his campaign. With the thoughts of the Salem witch trials still fresh in his mind he set out on his journey.

            Hale’s first stop was at the small town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He had a friend there who was also relatively powerful and skeptical of witchcraft. After his extensive trip Hale had finally stopped his buggy outside of Reverend Joseph of Portsmouth’s home. It was a very joyful meeting between the two considering that they had not seen or heard from each other in over five years. After getting caught up on life Hale dozed off. Later he was awakened by the echoing sound of booming cheers. Hale’s curiosity got the better of him and wiping the drowsiness off of his face shot out of his bed and ran to the town square. What Hale stumbled upon both shocked and confused his tired and emotionally battered self. Five poor looking people were being prepared to be hung! “Die witches!” was the prevailing chant of the observing crowd. Hale frantically searched for Joseph and discovered him sitting on a rock excluded from the crowd with a terrible expression occupying his face. Joseph grasped Hale by the shoulder and they then returned to his home with no words exchanged.

            Joseph locked the door behind them and then lit a small candle on the dinner table were the two sat and began to talk. Joseph explained to Hale that recently a young girl had come to Portsmouth and since her arrival the fear of witchcraft had been embedded into the minds of the citizens. Hangings for accused witches then began with haste. “The girl goes by the name of Abigail” This statement spoken by Joseph put a look of emptiness upon the face of Hale. Hale then asked Joseph were she was staying and if he could borrow a hammer. Joseph replied, “About ten minutes down the road, why do you need a hammer?” Hale then said, “You have been the greatest of friends Joseph but now I must finish something that I started a while ago. I will not let her do it again.” That was the last Joseph or anyone else ever heard from Hale. To this day the disappearance of Reverend Hale ended the hangings in Portsmouth as well as the thought of witchcraft along the entire East coast of the United States.