White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-12-03

his business agent, whiting letters, and making
the necessary arrangements for the disposal o
his personal property in Philadelphia; for tina
day had he received from Washington the com
mand of West Point, and the norrow's sun mus
see him on his journey thither.
But when midnight came, all arTangemene
were completed. Transfers had been made ,deedl
signed, large sums Of gold deposited in hil
agents hands, 10 meet the immense debts which
he had incurred by his lavish prodigality and
princely style Of living; and when the bells from
the old State House pealed forth the hour Of
twelve, Arnold was alone once more.
Slowly settling himself in his arm chair, after
the sound of his agents receding footsteps had
died along the nall, he leaned his elbow on the
table, and his head upon his hand.
His face looked anxious, pale, and eareworn;
and well it might; for those last few months
of his life had not only LEFT their iron impress
upon his brow, but in his heart.
His very attitude betokened WEAKNESS. He
tras weary, wearied to death, at the reasonable
game he was playing; for it was no light thing,
even for that daring, i-domitable, rash man, to
become a traitor.
He had an honored name; his country repo-
sed trust in him; Washington was his friend;
and in the great wrong, he had planned, and
which seemed almost upon the eve Of consum-
mation-had he no cause for remorsel
And for fear, tool for what il he should faa7
It was no idle game he held in his hand; and
the stakes were fearfully heavy.
Yonder, in his cabinet, lay the commission
from Congress, which had raised him to the rank
Of major-general; before him, upon the table,
lay the letter from the communicative chief,
which confirmed him in the command Of West
Point; and in that tiny inlaid rosewood writing
desk, which stood upon the little table in the
southern bow window, where Margaret Arnold
came often to sit near her husband, and pen her
friendly letters to John Andre, lay the replies
to his offers of treason.
And General Arnold's youthful wife little knew
that her lively letters, detailing the gaities of
her life in the Quaker City, and Ma or Andres
replies, which, tied together with dainty blue
ribbon, filed one corner OF her writing desk,
were the vehicles of her husbands treason
that, interlined between her delicate chirogra-
ply, he had written his promises to deliver West
Point over to the British.
Arnold knew that the game was begun. Sting
his conscience ever so iercely, it must be played
through; but in that midnight hour, when eve
rything was arranged, and he seemed on the
very verge of success, that bold, bad man trem-
bled.
! Like panorama, every scene Of his eTentful
career passed before his mental vision-the dark
/ pine forests of Maine, the walls of Quebec, the
blue waters Of Chanplain, the battlefield of
Saratoga; and over and above all this brilliant
scroll seemed written, in lurid characters, as
with pen of fire, the single word, "TaibDf!
traitor!r'
The quiet ofthe night, and his rapidly rushing
thoughts maddened him. lie rose, and strobe
| the room. rr ..- -.r... -... f..
otis the Internal plot!" he muttered, husk-
/ lily. "By heaven, had any man said to me at
Ticendorsga or Quebec Benedict Arnold, you
will one day play the traitor would have
ground him back to dust beneath my heel! But
now-now," and he smote the air with clenched
fist, now what am but that accused thingr'
Then his mood changed. His lips grew firm,
as though cut from iron; his eye blazed with
hate and scorn.
'@Yet Why" he went on, 4" why should il mad
den me sol Have not had cause for this7-
Were not abuses heaped upon mel Did not a
laWless mob assault me, and surround nv dwell
lingl Did not Congress treat me dishonorably,
unjustly, shsmefully7 Did not George Wash
ington insult me at Morristown? And shall I
sit here weakly mourning because the hour Of
nv revenge is night No. This cursed coun-
try shall have cause for woe, as it has given me
cause for the deed have done. Congress shall
have reason for reprimand now. George Wash
ington shall not have it to say that he rebuked
me publicly, and l tamelY bore the insult
"I gave them the best years of my Hfe-the
strength of my manhood. I shed my blood like
water; but, BY Heaven, they've had the last
drop from my veins. Now-noW, can avenge
myself! Ha! this should be a royal hourn and,
in his intense excitement, he strobe 10 and fro
with flashing eyes
Suddenly white hand, sparkling with jew
els, was laid upon his arm, and a son voice said
"General Arnold-my husband''
He turned, and his beautiful child-wife, clad
in white Heecy garments, as though attired for
festival, stood beside him.
A soft beam lighted his eye, and tender
smile quivered around his lip.
Margaret, you hereF' he said. al thought
you were at some brilliant Ievee, tonight"
"I did CO." she replied, but thoughts Of
your pale face haunted me, and 50 l ordered the
carriage home again. And now find you rest
less and excited, pacing the floor. You have
some trouble. This command to West Poin;
involves you in some way. You are i'll, perhaps
What is it, ArnOldl'' ana tbs trus-heartSd wife
clung to his arm.
"No; tits nothing, Margaret. You are fright
ened. Ihave been making the necessary arrange
ments for leaving Philadelphia, and am only ia
tigued; that is al, - he replied, evasively.
"But these long night watches, after days oil
toll. arc too much for you. Arnold, they are kin
ing you. You must get sleep before you starr
on your journey" ..-.,.,.
"Sleep. wonder If will sUT sleep again" ~
he echoed, wildly, shaking Of her arm, and walk
ing to and fro. ayes, viii sleep, Margaret
but not until reach West Point. There must
needs slumber sOundly and sweetly-patriots al
rsars do. do thew aot7'' and coming back and