My Kinsman, Major Molineux

My Kinsman, Major Molineux Summary | Detailed Summary

The last boat docks around 9 o'clock at the small New England colony, containing a lone traveler. This young man, Robin, has promised extra payment for the late service, and the ferryman has readily agreed to the arrangement. As Robin searches his pockets for the tip, the ferryman steals a glance at his face. The ferryman notes that the man is barely 18 and obviously from the country. The ferryman guesses correctly that this is the youth's first visit to town. His clothes are well worn, but still in good shape, and of good quality. He carries a heavy cudgel, or stick, and a wallet, and he has curly locks, well-shaped features and bright eyes.

As Robin eagerly steps off the boat and begins to walk, it occurs to him that he does not know where he is going. Robin stops to get his bearings, but he does not see a house in sight that would be worthy of Major Molineux, the wealthy relative he is seeking. Robin berates himself for not having asked directions of the ferryman, and he decides to ask someone else. The first person he sees is a distinguished, elderly gentleman, and Robin grabs the skirt of the gentleman's coat to get his attention. Robin asks politely if the man knows where Major Molineux lives. The man demands that Robin let go of his jacket, and he denies knowing Major Molineux. The man tells Robin that he holds an authoritative position in the colony, and he threatens to take Robin to be hung by his feet at the stocks the following day. Robin drops the old man's skirt and quickly walks away.

Robin walks through the town, coming shortly to the business center where he finds an inn. He is hungry and wants to sit down and eat, but he is out of money and knows that Major Molineux will give him food and lodging. Robin enters the inn boldly to ask his kinsman's whereabouts. He sees many strange and interesting faces before the innkeeper accosts him. Robin is met with the first kindness he has experienced since his arrival as the innkeeper, mistaking Robin for a country gentleman and a potential customer, is cloyingly civil towards him. Robin believes that he has seen a family resemblance between himself and his kinsman, and he becomes confident and haughty. However, he admits to having only a parchment threepence in his pocket and that he has entered the inn only to inquire after his relative.

As Robin raises his voice, there is a general stir in the room. The innkeeper suddenly turns to a piece of paper that has been fixed to one of the walls. The innkeeper begins to read, looking pointedly at Robin. "Left the house of the subscriber, bounden servant, Hezekiah Mudge--had on, when he went away, gray coat, leather breeches, master's third best hat. One pound currency reward to whosoever shall lodge him in any jail of the province." The innkeeper notes the similarity to Robin's clothes and advises Robin mockingly, "Better trudge, boy, better trudge!"

Robin takes the innkeeper's advice, but he is bewildered that the mention of his kinsman's name does not immediately grant him respect and honor. Robin continues down the lane and on turning the corner finds a street that is much more populated. He decides that if Major Molineux is out and about, he would be on this street. Robin carefully examines every face he encounters, and he is rebuked several times for his intrusive glances.

Robin turns another corner and finds a woman peeping out from behind a partially closed door. He asks her if Major Molineux lives there. Seeing that Robin is young, harmless and attractive, the young maiden comes out of her house and replies coyly, "Major Molineux dwells here." Robin knows that she is not telling him the truth, but for a moment her sweet words and common prettiness overwhelm him. Robin recovers and cunningly asks if the Major would come to the door to speak to him before he enters. The girl, equally cunning, replies that the Major is in bed sleeping soundly from his evening draught. Robin sees the lie in her eyes, but she already has taken him by the hand and is leading him into the house when the sound an opening door startles her. She quickly vanishes into the house. The man who opened the door passes. Robin sees the woman winking at him from the window, but the spell is broken, temptation passes and he carries on his way.

Robin begins to roam the streets, desperately searching for his kinsman who will give him the food and lodging. The next person he asks answers rudely but then mysteriously tells Robin to wait in the same spot where they are standing for one hour, and he promises that Robin will then see Major Molineux. As he says this, Robin catches a glimpse of the speaker's face. The man is ugly, and one side of his face "blazed an intense red, while the other side was black as midnight."

As Robin waits, his thoughts turn to his loneliness and his family that is so far from him on this cold, tiring, confusing night. Robin calls out petulantly to a passerby who obviously is a gentleman. The man asks Robin if he needs help, and Robin asks if he knows Major Molineux. The gentleman inquires what the nature of Robin's business is with the Major. Robin tells him that his father is a clergyman in the country and that Major Molineux is his father's cousin. Major Molineux, a wealthy military man, had promised a year earlier to help Robin become established in the city. When Robin comes of age, his father sends him to find Major Molineux and take advantage of his kind offer.

The gentleman then assures Robin that the ugly man with the painted face was correct and that the Major would soon be passing by the very spot where they stood. The man is curious about how Robin will react to his relative, so he decides to wait with him.

Before long Robin and the gentleman hear shouts and the sounds of trumpets in the distance. The sounds become closer, and people begin to stream through the street. A single horseman clad in military attire rides toward them. His face is painted, and "the red of one cheek was an emblem of fire and sword; the blackness of the other betokened the mourning that attends them." The horseman, the leader of the procession, looks strangely at Robin and signals for the procession to stop. Not far from Robin and the gentleman is a cart carrying Major Molineux "in tar-and-feather dignity."

Major Molineux is elderly and normally exudes a dignified, somber and unshakable calm. Tonight, however, his face is as pale as death and his eyebrows are knitted together in agony. For a moment his eyes meet Robin's, and there is a flicker of recognition followed by a look of defeated shame. Robin's knees knock together with a mixture of pity and terror, followed by a rush of excitement. Robin is intoxicated from his exhaustion, confusion and the contagious excitement of the crowd. He begins to pick out from the crowd all of the people he had asked about the whereabouts of his kinsman, and he sees that they are all laughing at him. Robin then laughs a loud, hysterical laugh, louder than any of the others. The horseman gives a signal, and the march begins again.

The gentleman touches Robin to shake him from his reverie, and Robin asks his new friend to show him the way to the ferry. "No, my good friend Robin, not to-night, at least," says the gentleman. "Some few days hence, if you continue to wish it, I will speed you on your journey. Or, if you prefer to remain with us, perhaps, as you are a shrewd youth, you may rise in the world, without the help of your kinsman, Major Molineux."