The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-05-07
THE TRAITORS WIFE.

siOh, "uOH euo Diioioh aIui1 hou POSSSSo-
ion Of that city during the revolution
Many of the officers were men of talent
and address, and the beauties and bellies
of the city rendered the homage which
woman ever yields to true manliness and
courage. Andre was there with bis hu-
morous poems, his fanciful sentiments, and
his interesting love history, the petted ia
vorite in ladies' bowers rs well as in the
camp of war.
Among the young ladies of the city
was one whom all regarded with admira-
tion, whose graceful manners and peerless
loveliness was the theme of every tongue.
This was Miss Mary Shipper, the daugh-
ter of a gentleman of intelligence and dis
tinctiop, afterwards the wife of Benedict
Arnold. Little did she imagine, during
the festive season, when her name was the
toast among the gallant young officers,
that that name would ever be linked with
infamy and disgrace. And no dreams
came TO her of the dark future in reserve
for her. Hers was the lightest step in
the dance, and her laugh rang out as clear
as the ripple of the mountain streamlet.
The time came for the departure of the
British from Philadelphia, and Miss Ship
pen bade adieu to a crowd Of admirers
with scarcely sigh of regret. Soon af-
terwards she met Mr.. Arnold, whose
fame was as yet unsullied, whose name
was then justly honored throughout the
country for the heroic services he had rem.
dered in times of pressing danger. Du-
ring his command of Philadelphia the
succeeding winter he sought to win her
for himself; and like true gentleman,
first asked permission of her father to pay
his addresses. His request was willingly
granted, and the wooing went on amid
parties and brilliant entertainments of
which Arnold seemed at that time so fond.
His coach and four were at her service and
the costliest and most extravagant pres
ents were laid at her feet. This, too, was
at a time when he was deeply in debt,
and the country was poor, wasted by a
long war, and it is not surprising that
murmurs began TO float that all was not
right.
Arnold heard these complaints and
loudly demanded n settlement of his ac-
counts with his country, that he deemed
ungrateful for the gallant services he had
rendered her in time of deepest peril. AT
one time he feared that Miss Shipper
might be alienated from him by these ac-
cusations, and he wrote TO her that il was
the work of his enemies, and would not
harm him in the least. His fears in re-
gard to her proved groundlcss. He had
won her heart, and as love is blind she saw
no defects in the brave young officer she
had chosen. Her brilliant Imagination
threw around him a halo of glory, and
she wondered that others should not ap-
preciate him as he deserved to be. Her
knight-her hero-her beloved Arnold
why should his enemies seek to bring him
down to their own degraded level?
These were her thoughts as she resolv-
ed to walk fearlcssly by his side through
life Alas, for woman's trust And
what bitter tears will bedew her pillow,
when she finds that the heart in which
she reposed so confidently, has not only
betrayed her trust but proved recreant to
every throb of manly duty and honor.
Spring threw warm breath DER the
earth, sending ten thousand streamlets
laughing on their way, and clothing the
earth in its richest green, and decked it
with violets, and recalled the robins from
the South, when Arnold led the accom-
phshed Miss Shipper to the altar. The
marriage vow, "for the better or for the
worse" was calmly spoken amid the
pomp and festivities worthy Of an officers
bridal.
Many who saw them, and admired the
beautiful bride, remembered her afterwards
rs a fair vision that had crossed their
pathway, and sincerely ptied her when
serpents Kissed before her and she was
obliged to wear through life the name of
her traitorous husband.
Not long were the happy pair permit
ted TO enjoy unmolested the romance ol
welded bliss. Creditors were clamerous
for their dues, and the fertile brain of Ar
mold was busy bettering his condition.
How could he secure gold for his present
necessties! How could he maintain the
splendid style Of living he had adopted
His head seemed turned by the magnif-
cence he had created around him. He
forgot his humble parentage, and the al
most incredible hardships he had suffered
in the forests of Maine, the sufferings ol
wounded soldier; and dazzled by the
vanities of earth, he bartered soldiers
birthright for another mess of pottage
He spurned the idea Of long years of in-
dustry and economy. Riches must come
suddenly. The golden current must be
quick and violent.
Al one time he thought of going out
as privateer, and secure to himself the
treasures Of the enemy. But one ides
after another was dismissed, until, Judas
like, the devil entered into him, and hc
secretly opened a secret correspondence