Tom Walker was not a man to be troubled with any fears of the kind. He did not fear the devil when he confronted him. His wife wanted him to sell his soul to the devil so they could become rich, he obliged and said no. He didn't care when Absalom Crowninshield died and he said "Let the freebooter roast, who cares!". He was not a man to stick at trifles when money was in view. He only cared, about himself. The only reason he went to look for his wife is because she had valuables in her pocket. In the story it says, He leaped for joy, for he recognized his wife's apron and supposed it to contain the household valuables. The story says he consoled himself for the loss of his property with the loss of his wife, for he was a man of fortitude. He was a hypocrite and tried to go to church when he realized that he was going to Hell. Also, he was a greedy old usurer, and did not try to help people but take more of their money instead.