by Nathaniel Hawthorne

PARABLE[1]

[1] Another clergyman in New England, Mr Joseph Moody, of York, Maine, made himself remarkable same eccentricity here related Reverend Mr Hooper case, however, the symbol had different import In early life he had accidentally killed beloved friend, and day till the hour own death, he hid his face from men

The sexton stood porch of Milford meeting-house, pulling busily bell-rope The old people village came stooping along the street Children, with bright faces, tripped merrily beside their parents, or mimicked graver gait, conscious dignity Sunday clothes Spruce bachelors looked sidelong pretty maidens, and fancied Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on week days throng had mostly streamed porch, the sexton began to toll the bell, keeping his eye Reverend Mr Hooper's door The first glimpse clergyman's figure signal bell to cease its summons

"But what has good Parson Hooper got upon his face ? " cried the sexton in astonishment

All within hearing immediately turned about, and beheld the semblance of Mr Hooper, pacing slowly his meditative way towards the meetinghouse With one accord they started, expressing more wonder than if some strange minister were coming to dust the cushions of Mr Hooper's pulpit

" sure our parson ? " inquired Goodman Gray sexton

"Of certainty good Mr Hooper," replied the sexton " exchanged pulpits with Parson Shute, of Westbury; but Parson Shute sent to excuse himself yesterday, being to preach funeral sermon "

The cause of amazement may appear sufficiently slight Mr Hooper, gentlemanly person, of about thirty, though still bachelor, was dressed with due clerical neatness, careful wife had starched his band, and brushed the weekly dust Sunday's garb but remarkable appearance Swathed about his forehead, and hanging down over his face, so low be shaken by his breath, Mr Hooper had on black veil On nearer view it seemed to consist of two folds of crape, which entirely concealed his features, except the mouth and chin, but probably intercept his sight, further than darkened aspect to all living and inanimate things gloomy shade before him, good Mr Hooper walked onward, at slow and quiet pace, stooping somewhat, and looking ground, as is customary with abstracted men, yet nodding kindly parishioners who still waited meeting-house steps But so wonder-struck were they that his greeting hardly met with return

" 't really feel good Mr Hooper's face was behind that piece of crape," said the sexton

"I don't like it," muttered an old woman, as she hobbled meeting-house "He has changed himself into something awful, only by hiding his face "

"Our parson has gone mad ! " cried Goodman Gray, following him across the threshold

rumor of some unaccountable phenomenon had preceded Mr Hooper meeting-house, and set all the congregation astir Few could refrain from twisting their heads towards the door; many stood upright, and turned directly about; while several little boys clambered seats, and came down again with terrible racket general bustle, rustling women's gowns and shuffling men's feet, greatly at variance hushed repose which should attend the entrance minister But Mr Hooper appeared not to notice the perturbation people He entered with an almost noiseless step, bent his head mildly pews on each side, and bowed as he passed his oldest parishioner, white-haired great grandsire, who occupied an arm-chair centre aisle strange to observe how slowly this venerable man became conscious of something singular appearance pastor not fully to partake prevailing wonder, till Mr Hooper had ascended the stairs, and showed himself pulpit, congregation, except black veil That mysterious emblem was never once withdrawn It shook measured breath, as out the psalm; it threw its obscurity between him holy page, as he read the Scriptures; and while he prayed, the veil lay heavily uplifted countenance Did he seek to hide it dread Being whom addressing ?

Such effect simple piece of crape, that more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the meeting-house Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful sight minister, as his black veil

Mr Hooper had the reputation of good preacher, but not an energetic one: he strove to win his people heavenward by mild, persuasive influences, rather than to drive them thither thunders Word The sermon which he now delivered was marked same characteristics of style and manner general series pulpit oratory But something, either sentiment discourse itself, or imagination auditors, which made it greatly the most powerful effort had ever heard from their pastor's lips tinged, rather more darkly than usual, gentle gloom of Mr Hooper's temperament The subject had reference to secret sin, and those sad mysteries which we hide nearest and dearest, and would fain conceal own consciousness, even forgetting Omniscient can detect them subtle power was breathed into his words Each member congregation, the most innocent girl, man of hardened breast, felt as preacher had crept upon them, behind his awful veil, and discovered their hoarded iniquity of deed or thought Many spread their clasped hands on their bosoms nothing terrible in what Mr Hooper said, , no violence; and yet, with every tremor melancholy voice, the hearers quaked An unsought pathos came hand in hand with awe So sensible were the audience of some unwonted attribute in their minister, longed for breath of wind to blow aside the veil, almost believing that stranger's visage discovered, though the form, gesture, and voice were those of Mr Hooper

close services, the people hurried out with indecorous confusion, eager to communicate their pent-up amazement, and conscious of lighter spirits the moment they lost sight black veil Some gathered in little circles, huddled closely together, with their mouths all whispering centre; some went homeward alone, wrapt in silent meditation; some talked loudly, and profaned the Sabbath day with ostentatious laughter few shook their sagacious heads, intimating that penetrate the mystery; while affirmed that no mystery at all, but only that Mr Hooper's eyes were so weakened midnight lamp, require shade After brief interval, forth came good Mr Hooper also, rear flock Turning his veiled face from one group to another, he paid due reverence hoary heads, saluted the middle aged with kind dignity as their friend and spiritual guide, greeted the young with mingled authority and love, and laid his hands little children's heads to bless them Such was always his custom Sabbath day Strange and bewildered looks repaid him courtesy None, as on former occasions, aspired honor of walking by their pastor's side Old Squire Saunders, doubtless by an accidental lapse of memory, neglected to invite Mr Hooper table, where the good clergyman wont to bless the food, almost every Sunday since his settlement He returned, therefore, parsonage, and, moment of closing the door, was observed to look back people, all of whom had their eyes fixed minister sad smile gleamed faintly from beneath the black veil, and flickered about his mouth, glimmering as he disappeared

"How strange," said lady, "that simple black veil, such as any woman might wear on her bonnet, should become such terrible thing on Mr Hooper's face ! "

"Something must surely be amiss with Mr Hooper's intellects," observed her husband, the physician village "But the strangest part affair effect vagary, even on sober-minded man like myself The black veil, though it covers only our pastor's face, throws its influence over his whole person, and makes him ghostlike from head to foot not feel it so ? "

"Truly do I," replied the lady; "and I alone world I wonder afraid alone with himself ! "

"Men sometimes are so," said her husband

The afternoon service was attended with similar circumstances At its conclusion, the bell tolled funeral of young lady The relatives and friends were assembled house, more distant acquaintances stood door, speaking good qualities deceased, when their talk was interrupted appearance of Mr Hooper, still covered black veil now an appropriate emblem The clergyman stepped room where the corpse was laid, and bent over the coffin, last farewell deceased parishioner As he stooped, the veil hung straight down forehead, , if her eyelids closed forever, the dead maiden seen his face Could Mr Hooper be fearful of her glance, that he so hastily caught back the black veil ? person who watched the interview dead and living, scrupled not to affirm, that, instant clergyman's features were disclosed, the corpse had slightly shuddered, rustling the shroud and muslin cap, though the countenance retained the composure of death superstitious old woman only witness prodigy coffin Mr Hooper passed chamber mourners, and thence head staircase, to funeral prayer tender and heart-dissolving prayer, full of sorrow, yet so imbued with celestial hopes, music of heavenly harp, swept fingers dead, seemed faintly heard saddest accents minister The people trembled, though they but darkly understood him when he prayed , and himself, and all of mortal race, ready, as he trusted this young maiden , dreadful hour that should snatch the veil from their faces The bearers went heavily forth, mourners followed, saddening all the street, dead before them, and Mr Hooper black veil behind

"Why look back ? " said one procession partner

"I had fancy," replied she, " minister maiden's spirit were walking hand in hand "

"And so had I, same moment," said the other