The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-10-13
THE WIFE OF ARNOLD.
Exchange.


 Exchange.
 We catch our first views Of this unhap- py lady on a bright May day in i7-S. when she took part in a famous and splendid pageant al Philadelphia. She was then d beautiful girl of iS-Miss Marsare, shippen-,he daughter of an opulent d ancient Philadelphia family. and one oi the reigning belles of that town. Ter ancestors were among the nrst settlers of Pennsylvania. and her great grandfather was the tlrst mayor of Philadelphia. In the course of time the family had acquired srea, possessions. and. laying aside the Quaker garb. had become members of the Church of Eng land. During the controversy between the thirteen colonies and the king, which ended Tn the revolutionary war, Edward Shippen her father. the head of the fam i!y. was inclined to the kings side.
 l. was May IS, ITS. For many months the British army had been quar,ered in Philadelphia, commanded by Mai. Gen. Sir William Howe. The general had been superseded, and was about to re- turn to England. The officers of the army, wealthy class who had nothing to do. seized the occasion of his retire meni 10 amase themselves by giving grand festival in his honor and this was the day upon which it was to be held.
 Inc atialr began with grand regatta apon the Delaware river: or, rather. a long procession of galleys and barges. filed with officers and ladies. which were rowed slowly down the whole length of the city, Tn an avenue formed by the shore crowded with spectators. and line of men-oi-war and transport ships sayly dressed with flags and streamers. 4, ESQ in the afternoon the barges began to move, the oars keeping time to martial music; and when they had arrived op- posite Market street they all lay upon their oars. while the bands played God Save the King" after which the soldiers gave three cheers. Continuing their course. the company were conveyed pas, the city 70 where grand tournament was to take place and II was in this portion of the entertainment that Margaret Ship pen shone. A spacious field. surrounded by troops. had been prepared for the con- test. Cpon one side were stationed all the bands of music Tn the army There were also two pavilons. with benches one above the other. filled 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 ladies Pennsylvania could boast. They were dressed in Turkish eostume-trousers. tunics, and turbans- and Tn thelr turbans they wore the favors with which they intended to reward the knights who were 10 contend in their honor. Among these lovely maidens sat Miss Margare, Shippen. One of the knights Who figured in the tournament was Capt. Andre. her familiar acquaini- anee. Little could either of them have thought. on that brish; day. how fatally their destnies were involved.
 The trumpet sounded. The herald ap- pea,ed. The challenge was delivered and the contest occurred: which ended without loss of blood. to the satisfaction of all concerned. At the conclusion of the tournament. the company was ushered into magnificent ballroom, decorated, we are told. by eighty-hve mirrors, and lighted by ,hirty-four branches of wax candles. The ball was opened by the fourteen bellies in Turkish dress, and their fourteen knigh,s-one, Lieut., Sloper, be- ing the knigh, who led Miss Shippen out to dance. A, io o'clock the windows were thrown open and splendid display of fireworks was exhibited.
 At I,, large folding-doors, which had hitherto been concealed, were suddenly thrown open. which revealed a gorgeous saloon. two hundred and ten feet long. 4aAf | with three alcoves on each side. This was the supper-room. Upon the tables there were i.,co dishes. As the guests entered grea, number of black slaves in Oriental costume ranged in two lines, bowed 10 the ground. This vast apart ment WIS one splendor of wax lights. flowers, ribbons. mirrors, and silver plate. One of the regular toaSts of the occasion was Miss shipper and Her Knight Alter supper the company returned to the ballroom and kep; up the dance till l in the morning. reaching their homes al sunrise.
 The festival, as Maj. Andre remarks. was the mos, splendid ever given by an army 10 it's chief And little. indeed, had tha, chief done 10 deserve 1t. An old officer of the British army. who per- eeived the folly of paying such extrava- gant honors 10 general who had won Re victories, said sadly: What will Washington think of all this ?"
 Exactly a month from that day the British army evacuated Philadelphia, and away they sped across Jersey, with General Washington a, their heels. 4 day or two after body of American troops marched in, commanded by Gen. eral Benedict Arnold. All was changed. The red-coats had disappeared-blue coats were in the ascendant, and the new Yankee general was the foremost man in the city. Arnold. a vain, weak man, ever fond of display and luxury, appropriated to himself one of the handsomest houses in the town, where he set up costly establishment. kept a great many ser wants, gave splendid dinners, and main tained handsome equipage drawn by