What are three character traits of Tom Walker?

Washington Irving uses both direct and indirect characterization to portray the personality traits of Tom Walker in the short story "The Devil and Tom Walker." In the second paragraph Irving comes right out and says that Tom was "meager and miserly." By "miserly," Irving means that Tom was simply greedy, which may be his most prominent character trait. In an example of indirect characterization, Irving writes that Tom's house was miserable and starved because he spent no money on it. When Tom meets the incarnation of the devil in a dark forest, he is instantly intrigued by the idea that he could get from the devil all the riches he wanted. Thus, he enters into a deal with "old scratch," agreeing to become a usurious money lender in exchange for instant wealth. Tom is so greedy that when the devil suggests he lend money at two percent a month, Tom says he will charge four percent.

Tom is also grimly determined and eager. After his wife disappears Tom is dedicated to finding the "black woodsman" and making a deal with him. Irving writes,

He sought, therefore, to cultivate a further acquaintance with him, but for some time without success; the old blacklegs played shy, for whatever people may think, he is not always to be had for calling for; he knows how to play his cards when pretty sure of his game.

Not dissuaded, Tom eventually tracks down "old scratch" and makes his deal. As he grows older, Tom also becomes determined to avoid his fate. He takes up religion and Irving reports he was a "violent church-goer" always carrying a Bible and praying loudly during church services. As he has cheated his neighbors, he seeks to do the same to the devil.

Finally, Tom is downright mean spirited. He cheats his neighbors and starves his horses. Just before he is taken away by a "black man" on a "black horse" Tom is in the middle of foreclosing on the mortgage of a supposed friend. Even though the man claims he will be ruined and needs just "a few month's indulgence," Tom is unperturbed and refuses the man's pleas. Tom suggests that he has to take care of himself and cannot be providing charity despite the man's claims that Tom has made plenty of money from the mortgage. In a fitting ending to this episode, Tom says,

"The Devil take me...if I have made a farthing."

Just then he is "whisked" off to the dark forest and never seen again.