Final answer:
Old Scratch offers Tom Walker great wealth, but in return he wants Tom's soul.
Step-by-step explanation:
Old Scratch and His Offer
In the story 'The Devil and Tom Walker,' Old Scratch, also known as the devil or a representative of evil, offers Tom Walker great wealth. He presents him with buried treasure that belongs to pirates and encourages him to use it for his own gain.
Old Scratch's Demand
In return for the wealth, Old Scratch wants Tom Walker's soul. He wants Tom to trade his moral integrity and become a servant of evil. This represents the classic Faustian deal, where a character exchanges their soul for personal gain.
Examples
One example of this offer can be seen in the story when Old Scratch offers Tom a buried treasure filled with gold coins, which tempts him with immediate riches. Another example is when Old Scratch wants Tom to become a moneylender who charges high interest rates, which would require Tom to act greedily and unethically.