The Strange Death of Mistress Coffin by Robert J. Begiebing

Higgins, he was a man of varied talents and practical skills that had stood him well on his adventure. But to these practical abilities Cole added a keen intelligence and a shrewd administrative capacity to manage community affairs. Everyone respected him and many sought his advice. He was one of the original, elected rulers of the settlement.
    His manner with orderly people was just and kindly, almost (as he passed well into his fifties) avuncular. Yet when he was aroused over some breach of courtesy, modesty, or justice, he was like a black August storm suddenly piling in from the western sky bearing a blast of hail and a menace of high winds.
    These qualities and a debt of generosity and friendship to Cole caused Browne discomfort as he sat in Cole’s library withholding the solution he had discovered to the riddle of Higgins’ disappearance.
    The decision to withhold information from Cole had been long and tortuous. But finally Browne reasoned that there werelives at stake, including children’s lives, and that he was growing less rather than more certain of the nature of Balthazar Coffin. Furthermore, the evidence against Higgins was riddled with faults.
    â€œAt this point it would be best, Mr. Cole, to speed up this search for a minister,” Browne said. “Provide ample remuneration and bring in an excellent man. Perhaps the sickness here is more spiritual than legal.”
    â€œAre the two so separate, Richard?” Cole asked. There was an edge of good humor in his voice. “And our offers have been lucrative, including some of our choicest lands. Two of the recent candidates we rejected: one a narrow fanatic, the other an old goat whose sole vigor was, by reputation, concupiscence. Our best candidates have so far lacked, finally, sufficient interest to join us. Thus our search continues.”
    â€œMight not some pious and courageous man now be sufficiently intrigued even by Goody Higgins’ dark circumstances?”
    â€œThat is a possibility, but of course if we discount the suffering that arises from a missing husband, her torments seem to have ended. Mostly this reduction in afflictions has occurred since your arrival, Richard. She tells me she has great faith in your abilities. So you have helped her greatly, as I believed you would.
    â€œIt is precisely because of your many talents and abilities—nay, even sympathies—that I encouraged you to join our plantation and asked for your help and judgment in this Higgins affair. My former associations with your father were not my only considerations, you see. It is, however, perhaps time for you to consider your other purposes here as well. Your acceptance is assured, there is the grant of property about which we have spoken, the trade in wood and other commodities flourishing all around us. ‘If this Land be not rich, then is the whole world poor,’ eh?” Cole chuckled. “What more propitious time for a young man of parts to regain his family’s losses? Betweenus we know many people here and in England who can help you to great advantage.
    â€œMoreover, the magistrates of Boston will be delighted to learn such a man as Richard Browne has become one of us here. They raise continual complaints about those of us in the whole Pascataqua region—accepting all their reprobates and outcasts!” Cole laughed. He leaned back in his chair and enjoyed himself over the idea. Then he stood up and said, “More cider, Richard!” and held out his hand.
    He left the room. Browne, nervous, got up from his chair and paced about the small room. Cole was right, he did have overriding responsibilities to himself and his relations back in England. There was wealth to be made here, to be replenished.
    When Cole returned holding two noggins full of cider, Browne began: “I cannot deny my responsibilities, nor my desire to settle and begin here, Mr. Cole. And I can never repay your aid and kindnesses to me.