The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-04-02
Benedict Arnold's Wife.

w E catch our first view of this unhap-
w py lady on bright May day in
1878, when she took part in famous and
splendid pageant at Philadelphia. She was
then a beautiful girl of eighteen-Miss
Margaret Shippen-the daughter of an op-
ulent and ancient Philadelphia family, and
one of the reigning bellies of that town.
Her ancestors were among the first settlers
of Pennsylvania, and her great grandfather
was the first Mayor of Philadelphia. In
the course of time the family had acquired
great possessions; and, laying aside the
Quaker garb, had become members of the
Church Of England. During the contro-
versy between the thirteen colonies and the
King, which ended in the Revolutionary
war, Edward Shipper, her father, the head
ofthe family, was inclined to the King sside.
1t was May the eighteenth, ITS. For
many months the British army had been
quartered at Philadelphia, commanded by
Maj. General Sir William Howe. The gen.
eral had now been superseded, and was
about to return to England. The officers
of the army, wealthy class who had moth
ing to do, seized the occasion of his retire
ment to amuse themselves by giving a
grand festival in his honor; and this was
the day upon which it was held
The affair began with grand regatta
upon the Delaware river; or, rather, long
procession of galleys and barges, filled with
officers and ladies, which were rowed slowly
down the whole length Of the city, in an
avenue formed by the shore crowded with
spectators, and line of men-of-war and
transport ships, gaily dressed with flags
and streamers. At half-past four in the
afternoon, the barges 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 the
bands played "God save the King;;" after
which the soldiers gave three cheers. Con-
tinuing their course, the company were
conveyed past the city to where grand
tournament was to take place; and it was
in this portion of the entertainment that
Margaret Shippen shone. A. spacious field
surrounded by troops, had been prepared
for the contest.-Upon one side were sta
toned all the bands of music in the army.
There were also two pavilions, with rows
OF benches one above the other, filled with
the most distinguished ladies of the city.
On the front of each of these paviions
were placed seven of the most beautiful
young ladies Pennsylvania could boast.
They were dressed in Turkish costume
trowsers, tunics and turbans-and in their
turbans they wore the favors with which
they intended to reward the knights who
were TO contend in their honor. Among
these lovely maidens sat Miss Margaret
Shippen. One of the knights who figured
in the tournament was Captain Andre, her
familiar acquaintance. Little could either
of them have thought, on this bright day,
how fatally their destinies were involved.
The trumpet sound ded. The herald ap-
.peared. The challenge was delivered and
the contest occurred; which ended without
cerned. At the conclusion Of the tourna-
ment, the company were ushered into q
magnificent ballroom, decorated, we are
told, by eighty-hve mirrors, and lighted by
thirty-four branches Of wax candles. The
ball was opened by the fourteen bellies in
Turkish dress, and their fourteen knights
--sns Lieutenant sloper being the knight
who led Miss shippen out TO the dance. At
ten o'clock, the windows were thrown open,
and splendid display Of fireworks was
exhibited.
At twelve, large folding doors, which had
hitherto been concealed, were suddenly
thrown open, which revealed gorgeous