In "The Devil and Tom Walker," Old Scratch is the devil. Tom Walker is in pursuit of riches, particularly the Pirate Kidd's treasure, and the devil knows where it is. He offers to give it to Tom Walker so that he can be wealthy for life if Tom will serve him. Old Scratch sets the terms; first of all it is implied that when Tom dies, his soul will belong to him. Moreover, he wants Tom to use the money in his service and proposes that Tom outfit a slave ship and engage in slave trafficking. Ironically, Tom refuses this request on moral grounds. Old Scratch then proposes that Tom become a money lender, or usurer, and charge exorbitant interest rates; he tells Tom "you shall extort bonds, foreclose mortgages, drive the merchants to bankruptcy." Tom enthusiastically agrees, asserting that he will raise the interest rate even higher than the devil suggests.
When Old Scratch and Tom Walker first meet, they discuss the topic of the hidden pirate treasure. Old Scratch, being in complete control of the treasure, offers to give it to Tom on one condition. This condition is not explicitly stated in the story, but the reader can infer that Old Scratch wants Tom's soul. Tom, however, does not agree to this deal and returns home.
Later in the story, Old Scratch and Tom talk terms again. This time, Old Scratch offers Tom the pirate's treasure but, in return, Tom must use the money to make Old Scratch a profit. Old Scratch suggests Tom would make lots of profit if he became a slave trader, but Tom does not agree to this occupation. Instead, he agrees to become a moneylender.
Once the deal is struck, Tom takes the pirate treasure and uses it to set up his moneylending business in Boston. Here, he becomes a very rich and successful moneylender.
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