Character Sketch of Marshal in Hearts and Hands
Introduction
The marshal is a ruffled glum-faced person, heavily built and roughly dressed. He is kind, sympathetic, and compassionate and is willing to help others. He does his service for the welfare of others selflessly. In the story, he saves Mr. Easton from being humiliated in the eyes of the young lady named Fairchild. When Mr. Easton feels embarrassed before the lady in the handcuffs, the marshal soothes the horrified feelings of the lady by putting himself in the place of Mr. Easton. Thus he raises the standard of Mr. Easton and does not let shatter the social images and fantasies which the lady nourishes.
His keeping A Strict Watch
The marshal keeps a strict watch on Mr. Easton. He seems to be very sincere in his duty as a marshal. When he takes Mr. Easton to the prison in Leavenworth by train, he keeps watching the surroundings of the coach. On the train, Mr. Easton meets an old friend Miss Fairchild and Miss Fairchild keeps on talking to Mr. Easton. The marshal continues to listen calmly to their conversation while at the same time keeps on watching the lady and her behaviour. It seems he is evaluating the situation as a marshal would do.
A Keen Observer of Human Behaviour
The marshal seems to be a keen observer and a good judge of human behaviour. He observes Miss Fairchild’s expression and can make out the reason for her horrified look after seeing the handcuffs. He comes to know Miss Fairchild is a person given to social images rather than to reality.
Kind, Sympathetic, and Helpful
The marshal is the man of a compassionate heart. He is kind and sympathetic and is ever ready to give a helping hand in trouble. He has his heart in the right place and so extends the hand of help to his companion. He observes that both Mr. Easton and Miss Fairchild are feeling embarrassed. So he comes to their rescue. To ease the concern of Miss Fairchild and remove the embarrassment of Easton, he comes forward with an explanation that Easton is a marshal and is taking him (the real marshal) to Leavenworth prison.
When Miss Fairchild enquires about Mr. Easton’s plans of returning to the west, the marshal feels that Mr. Easton may reveal something about himself, so he interrupts and requests him that he should be taken to the smoker room. The real marshal spares the woman from further embarrassment and heartbreak by doing this. He thinks that the more he allows Easton and Miss Fairchild to speak, the more he will have to lie.
Thus, we observe that the marshal has been presented as a true embodiment of humanity. Though outwardly he seems to be very ugly and cruel, he has a soft corner while helping others in trouble.
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