Judge Thatcher is the local judge in St. Petersburg, Missouri. He takes charge of safeguarding the money Huckleberry Finn obtained at the conclusion of Tom Sawyer's previous adventure, investing it to earn interest for Huck. When Huck learns his abusive father, Pap Finn, has returned, he desperately seeks out Judge Thatcher to surrender his entire fortune. Mistaking Huck's motive for a gift, the judge instead structures the transfer as a formal legal sale. He drafts a contract specifying "for a consideration" and has Huck sign it, exchanging one dollar for ownership of the money to shield the assets from Pap. Along with Widow Douglas, Judge Thatcher actively pursues custody of Huck to remove him from Pap's neglectful and violent home. He engages in legal proceedings aimed at terminating Pap's parental rights, acting as a protective guardian for the boy. His presence in Huck's story fades after Huck leaves St. Petersburg. Upon Huck's eventual return from his adventures, Judge Thatcher fulfills his duty by returning Huck's fortune, including both the original principal and all accrued interest.