The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg

Hadleyburg

A town known for its exceptional honesty.

Incorruptible

Unable to be morally compromised or corrupted.

Temptations

Enticements that challenge one's integrity or morals.

Stranger

An outsider who feels wronged by Hadleyburg.

Revenge

The act of inflicting harm in response to injury.

Gold Coin

Currency weighing a hundred sixty pounds four ounces.

Mrs. Richards

The old lady who discovers the sack.

Public Inquiry

A formal investigation open to all townspeople.

Private Inquiry

A discreet investigation limited to select individuals.

Rev. Mr. Burgess

The clergyman designated to oversee the inquiry.

Benefactor

The person who provided help to the gambler.

Gambler

A person who risks money on uncertain outcomes.

Fortune

A large amount of wealth or riches.

Sack

Container holding gold coins for the benefactor.

Sealed Envelope

A secure container for the identifying remark.

Kindness

Acts of generosity or goodwill towards others.

Moral Conscience

An inner sense of right and wrong.

Curiosity

A strong desire to learn or know more.

Defilement

The act of making something unclean or impure.

Dismal Journeys

Unpleasant travels often associated with hardship.

Grind

The repetitive and exhausting nature of work.

Pride

A feeling of deep satisfaction from achievements.

Wealth

An abundance of valuable resources or money.

Cultural Education

Teaching principles of honesty from a young age.

Jealousy

Resentment against someone else's success or advantages.

Temptation Avoidance

Keeping young people away from moral challenges.

Identity

The characteristics determining who a person is.

Gratitude

A feeling of thankfulness towards someone.

Remark

A statement that identifies the benefactor.

Forty thousand dollars

Amount representing a significant fortune in the story.

Adventure

An exciting or unusual experience, often romanticized.

Romance

A narrative involving love and adventure, often idealized.

Burglar-time

A period when theft or burglary is likely.

Printing-office

A place where printed materials are produced.

Barclay Goodson

A citizen suspected of giving the stranger money.

Reverend Burgess

A disliked clergyman in the village.

Public opinion

The collective beliefs or attitudes of the community.

Confession

An admission of guilt or wrongdoing.

Innocent

Not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.

Manliness

The quality of being brave and strong.

Good-will

Friendly, helpful feelings towards others.

Committee of Inquiry

A group tasked with investigating a matter.

Sawlsberry

A character involved in the inquiry against Goodson.

Gold-sack mystery

The central enigma involving the discovered fortune.

Absorbed thinking

Deep concentration or preoccupation with thoughts.

Somnambulist

A sleepwalker, often acting without awareness.

Vexation

The state of being annoyed or frustrated.

Mumbling

Speaking quietly and unclearly, often in confusion.

Pluck

Courage and determination in facing difficulties.

Dreadful way

An extremely unpleasant or harmful method of treatment.

Publicly

In a manner accessible to all; openly.

Mystery

Something that is difficult to understand or explain.

Perplexed

Confused or puzzled about something.

Brooding

Deeply thinking, often in a troubled manner.

Drawn face

A facial expression indicating stress or worry.

Voice

Sound produced by humans for communication.

Mumblings

Soft, indistinct speech often reflecting uncertainty.

Gloating light

A gleeful expression indicating satisfaction or triumph.

Absence

State of being lost in thought or distraction.

Nervous clasping

Repeatedly gripping hands due to anxiety.

Secret

Information known only to a few individuals.

Furtive glance

A secretive or sly look, often indicating suspicion.

Unspeakable disappointment

A profound sense of loss or regret.

Vexed tone

Annoyed or irritated manner of speaking.

Heated discussion

An intense conversation often marked by strong emotions.

Blasphemous presumption

Disrespectful assumption regarding divine intentions.

Artificial honesty

Honesty that is not genuine or deeply rooted.

Temptation

Desire to engage in unwise or immoral behavior.

Grand reputation

High regard or esteem held by others.

Pallet

A makeshift bed or sleeping arrangement.

Open sesame

A phrase or key to unlock a mystery.

Stranded derelict

A person abandoned or left helpless.

Associated Press

A major news agency providing news coverage.

Colossal order

A large request or demand, often for information.

Proudest man

A person filled with immense pride or satisfaction.

Despatch

A message or report sent quickly.

Thinkings

Thought processes or contemplations.

Sorrowing

Expressing deep sadness or regret.

Hesitatingly rose

Stood up with uncertainty or reluctance.

Mumbling to herself

Speaking softly and indistinctly, often in thought.

Seeming plagiarisms

Discussions that appear to copy each other.

Money-sack

A sack containing a fortune, central to the story.

Goodson's remark

A statement pivotal to the plot's mystery.

Nineteen principal citizens

Key figures representing Hadleyburg's elite society.

Moral regeneration

A hoped-for revival of ethical standards.

Jack Halliday

A character who mocks the townspeople's pride.

Pinkerton

The banker symbolizing greed and control.

Epoch-making

Describes an event that significantly alters history.

Public square

Central location for community gatherings and events.

Desolate streets

Reflects the town's shift from joy to sorrow.

Letter from Stephenson

Reveals the identity of Goodson's benefactor.

Unfailing inheritance

Refers to Hadleyburg's reputation for honesty.

Sick look

Describes the townspeople's gradual loss of happiness.

Deep, nameless content

Initial reaction of citizens after the money's arrival.

Anguish and absence

Emotional state of citizens as pride fades.

Hale Alley

Location where Goodson made his crucial remark.

Service to Goodson

An act that may entitle Richards to the fortune.

Richards and his wife

Main characters experiencing the town's moral dilemma.

Dreary faces

Symbolize the town's collective despair and disillusionment.

Celebration to sorrow

Transition of town's mood over three weeks.