![]() ![]() Justice Hawthorne of the Salem witch trials allows Webster to argue his case on the condition that he surrender his soul to the devil if he loses. Scratch consents, but insists upon choosing the jury, summoning Captain Kidd, Benedict Arnold, Simon Girty and nine other traitors. At twelve o'clock, Scratch appears and Webster argues that Jabez, as an American citizen, has the right to a jury trial. Webster agrees to defend Jabez against the devil, and they return to the barn to meet Scratch at the midnight deadline. When Scratch offers to extend Jabez's contract in exchange for his son, the farmer scurries after Webster and pleads for his help. ![]() After Jabez angrily orders both Mary and Webster from his house, Scratch appears with the soul of Stevens neatly encompassed by his kerchief. Belle's otherworldly guests then arrive, followed by Webster, who lectures Jabez about taking advantage of the farmers. Stevens is the next arrival, and he sorrowfully confides to Jabez that he, too, shares a pact with Scratch. Mary, who is still living in their modest old homestead with Jabez's mother, attends the party and is confronted by Belle, who commands her to leave. While Jabez awaits his guests, the farmers air their grievances about him to Webster. Webster offers to speak to Jabez and accompanies Mary to Cross Corners, arriving on the night that Jabez has planned an ostentacious party to flaunt his luxurious new house. ![]() Seven years pass, during which time Jabez has come to value only money, prompting Mary to visit Webster and confide her unhappiness. The birth is followed by the arrival of Belle, Scratch's bewitching emissary, who claims to be the baby's new nurse. On the night of the harvest dance, Jabez's son is born and christened Daniel after his godfather, Daniel Webster. The farmers begin to resent Jabez when he offers to pay them to harvest his crops, but destitute, they accept his wages. After his wife Mary becomes pregnant, Jabez tries to chop down the ominous tree, but Scratch warns him that that would constitute a breach of contract and invokes a hailstorm that destroys all the crops except Jabez's. Scratch, Jabez delivers a speech in support of the politician, thus winning acclaim from the townsfolk. When Webster comes to town, dogged by Mr. With his newly found wealth, Jabez pays Stevens, purchases supplies and lends money to his fellow farmers to buy seed. Jabez accepts the bargain, and the devil sears the date into a tree to commemorate their contract. Scratch strolls out of the mist and offers the farmer seven years of prosperity in exchange for his soul. When, in a moment of despair, Jabez offers to sell his soul to the devil, Mr. One victim of the creditors is Jabez Stone, who is in danger of losing his farm to Miser Stevens unless he can raise the money to pay his mortgage. In 1840, in the town of Cross Corners, New Hampshire, the words of Massachusetts senator Daniel Webster stir the farmers to organize a Grange movement to defend against the loan sharks threatening their lands. ![]()
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