Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-06-05
From Woods Household Magazine.
THE WIFE OF BENEDICT ARNOLD
BY JAMES PARTON.


We catch our first view Of this un-
happy lady on bright May day, in
l77S, when she took part in famous
and splendid pageant at Philadelphia.
She was then a beautiful girl Of cigh-
teen-Mss Margaret Shippen-the
daughter of an opulcnt and ancient
Philadelphia family, and one of the
reigning bellies of that town. Her an
ccstors we're among the first settlers
Of Pennsylvania, and her great grand
father was the first Mayor of Philadel-
phia. In the course of time, the fam
lily had acquired great possessions
and, laying aside the Quaker garb,
had become members of the Church OF
England. During the controversy be-
tween tho thirteen colonies and the
King, which ended in tho Revolution.
ary war, Edward Shippen, her father,
was inclined to the Kings side.
1t was May the eighteenth, 177S.
For many months the British army
had been quartered in Philadelphia,
commanded by Major General Sir
William Howe. The general had now
been superseded, and was about to re-
turn to England. The officers of the
army, a wealthy class, who had moth
ing to do, seized the occasion Of his
retirement to amuse themselves by
giving a grand festival in his honor
and this was the day upon which il
was TO be held.
The affair began with grand re.
gatta upon the Delaware river; or
rather, a long procession OF galleys
and barges, filled with officers and Ia.
dies, which were rowed slowly down
the whole length Of the city, in an av'
enue formed by the shore crowded
with spectators, and line of men ol
war and transport ships, gaily dressed
with flags and streamers. At hall
past four in the afternoon, the barge'
began TO move, the oars keeping time
to martial music; and when they had
arrived opposite Market street they
all lay upon their oars, while th,
bands played "God save the King !
after which the soldiers gave three
cheers. Continuing their course, the
company were conveyed past the city
to where grand tournament was u
take place and it was in this portion
of the entertainment that Margaret
Shipper shone. A spacious field, sur
rounded by troops, had been prepared
for the contest. Upon one side were
stationed all the bands of music in tht
army. There were also two pavil
lions, with rows of benches, one abov,
the other, filed with the most distin
guishcd ladies of the city.
On the front seat of each Of thcs'
pavilions, were placed seven of thu
most beautiful young ladies Pennsyl
vania could boast. They were dressed
in Turkish ostume-trowsers tunics
and turbans--and in their turbanl
they wore the favors with which they
intended TO reward tho knights wht
were to contend in theirhonor. Among
these lovely ladies sat Miss Margare
Shippen. One of the knights who fg
ured in the tournament was Captain
Andre, her familiar acquaintance. Lit
tic could either of them have thought
on this bright day, how fatally thei
dcstinies were involved
| The trumpet sounded. The hcral,
appeared. The challenge was deliv
cred, and the contest occurred, whicl
ended without loss of blood, TO tn
satisfaction of all concerned. At th
conclusion ofthe tournament, the CON
pany were ushered into magnidcen
! ball room, decorated, wc are told, b.
eighty-fve pirrors, and lighted b
thirty four branches OF wax candles
Tho ball was opened by the fourtec
bellies in Turkish dress, and their foul
teen knights--onc Lieutenant Slope
being the knight who led Miss ShiI
. pen out TO the dance. AT ten o'cloc
; tho windows werc thrown open, an
splendid display Of Gre works was @,
hibited.
At twelve large folding doors, whic
A had hitherto been concealed, wei
!. suddenly thrown open, which revea
cd q gorgeous saloon, two hundre
!, and ten feet long, forty feet wide, an
s twenty-five feet high, with three a
covcs on each side. This was the SUI
per room. Upon the tables there wei
twelve hundred dishes. As the gucs
entered the room, great number
black slaves in oriental costume, rap
. cd in two columns, bowed TO II
:, ground. This vast apartment vi
q ono Splendor Of wax lights, flower
4, ribbons, flags, mirrors, and silv,
plate. One of the regular toasts
Itko conao,oc xvas tfHf..s oks~-~- -