The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-06-21
THE WIFE OF BENEDICT ARNOLD,
BY JAMES PARTON.

THE WIFE OF BENEDICT ARNOLD.
BY JAMES PARTON.
We catch our first view of this un-
happy lady on bright May day, in
ITS, when che took part in famous
and splendid pageant at Philadelpnia.
She was then beautiful girl of eighteen
Miss Margaret Shippen-the daughter
of an opulent and ancient Philadelphia
family, and one of the reigning bellies
of that town. Her ancestors were
among the first settlers in Pennsylvania,
and her great grandfather was the first
Mayer 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
controversy between the thirteen COLO
MES and the King, which ended in the
Revolutionary var, Edward Shipper,
her father, the head OF the family, was
inclined to the Kings side.
1t was May the 18th, ITS. For many
months the British army had been
quartered in Philadelphia, commanded
by Mai. Gen. Sir William Howe.
The General had now been superseded
and was about to return to England.
The officers of the army, wealthy
class who had nothing to do, seized the
occasion of his retirement to amuse
themselves by giving a grand festival
in his honor and this was the day on
which it was to be held.
The affair began with grand regatta
upon the Delaware river, or rather a
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 af-
ternoon, the barges began to move, the
oars keeping time to the martial music,
and when they had arrived opposite
Market street, they all laid upon their
oars, while the band 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 tourna-
ment was to take place; and it was in
this portion of the entertainment that
Margaret Shipper shone. A spacious
field, surrounded by troops, had been
prepared for the contest. Upon one
side was stationed all the bands of music
in the army. There were two pavilions,
with rows OF benches, one above the
other, filed with the most distinguished
ladies of the city.
On the front seat of each OF these pa
vilions were placed seven OF the most
beautiful young aides 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 te
reward the knights who were to con
tend in their honor. Among these
lovely maidens sat Miss Margaret Ship
pen. One of the knights who figured IL
the tournament was Capt. Andre, he
familiar acquaintance. Little coult
either of them have thought, on thi
bright day, how fatally their destinie
were involved.
The trumpet sounded. The heral.
appeared. The challange was delivered
and the contest occurred; which endet
without loss of blood, to the satisfaction
of all concerned At the conclusion o
the tournament the company wer
ushered into a magnificent ball room
decorated, we are told, by eighty.6v
mirrors, and lighted by thirty-fou
branches of wax candles. The ball wa
opened by the fourteen bellies in Turkisl
dress, and their fourteen knights-0n
Lieutenant Sloper being the knigh
who led Miss Shipper out to dance. A
ten o'clock, the windows were throw
open, and splendid display OF fire
works was exhibited.
At twelve, large folding doors, whic
had hitherto been concealed, we're sue
denly thrown open, which revealed
gorgeous saloon, two hundred and te
feet long, forty feet wide, and twent!
two feet high, with three alcoves o
each side. This was the supper room
Upon the table there we're twelve hui
dred dishes. As the guests entered Ii
room, q great number Of black slaves
Oriental costume, ranged in two line
bowed to the ground. This vast apar
ment was one splendor of wax light
flowers, ribbons, flags, mirrors, and o
yer plate. One of the regular toasts
the occasion was, miss Shipper al
her knight" After supper the compaI
returned to the ball room, and kept ,
the dance till four in the mornir
reaching their homes about sunrise.