Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-17
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL
Continued from Page 8.

Fun Graduates-Lucile C. Bilisoly.
bessie V. Guy. Cornelia c. Truxtun.
Highest rages-Florencc l.. TAFT,
9S.6i; Neva b. Land 1856.
a REMARKABLE ESSAY.
The following essay on THE Treason
OF Benedict Arnold ard its Effect on the
american Revolution" was written by
cara Eliza Schell. aged IL years. 1t
WAS considered by the committee. who
decided upon the merits OF the essays,
ana the members of the Great Bridge
Cnapter. ID. ~. R.. reIna rkaOle for a
enid OF this age. and n smaller medal
was IN consequence awarded her, the
prize medal having been awarded to
Sadie F.uson.
benedict Arnold. known throughout
the whole world as The Traitor" and
despised rs much by those he tried To
bctray to as by those he tried TO be-
tray, was born in Norwich. Connect.
cut, 1910, and died fricnd!ess 1901 in
London, England.
lie was brave and adventurous from
a youth, was finely formed and active
but he had several great faults. among
which was his violent temper and a re-
NehSelui disposition. Had he con-
quered those faults of his youth in man
hood they would not have controlled
MN. but he let them grow as he grew
80 ri was no great wonder that when he
grew to be q man his temper and love
ioi' revenge became his ruin.
lie joined the army while still youngj
ana in li15 for his bravery was given
the commission of n colonel and soon
after fought bravely in the battle of
Quebec. in which he received a severe
wound in the leg
In l''1 he showed great gallantry In
an attack on Danbury. He had two
two horses sho. from under him and
was so brave that Congress made him
major general. Had it not been for him
inc Americans would not have gained
the battle cf Saratoga. In this battle
he received a severe wound. which
made Elm unfit for active service so
General Washington sent him to take
cnarSe of Philadelphia until his wound
was healed.
There he lived in great splendor and
was very eNtravagant; using his high
pace IN the army AS an excuse for
nuarreiing with the Pennsylvania au-
thorities, for which they made COM
paint 10 Congress, and also for mis-
using public property. For this he was
tried and sentenced to be reprimanded
by Washington. But Washington for
gave him and overlooked his faults and
folles But Arnold's temper was
revenge.
After pretended repentance he asked
for the command of West Point. which
was then the most important post that
the Americans possessed. Washington
thinking him quite trustworthy gave
him the command he asked for.
No sooner was he placed in command
OF West Point than he began to CORE
spond with Sir Henry Clinton with the
View of betraying his rost into the
hands of the British. Ha asked for an
interview with some well educated
British officer. and Major Andre was
chosen. He came w the river in the
british man-of-war "Nulture," and met
Arnold in clump of bushes near
Haverstraw at midnight and they talk
ed al moring without result They
Then went to a farmhouse near by and
completed their plans hastily.
Andre hid the papers in his stockings
Then with Il pass from Arnold and dis
guised as countryman with The name
of John Anderson he felt quite safe.
He had nearly reached the British
lines. ard was urging his horse as fast
as he could so and congra tulat!n him
self on his safety. when suddenly three
continental men snrang out of a cover
of vines under some oak trees by n
brook e,aar the Hudson river. arbout n
mile from larry Town. One caught the
Siddle and the others aimed their mus
kets at him. This 50 startled him that
he forgot TO show his PASS. Had he
n9iiehy done so they would have let
him go on.
But being SUSPICIOUS at his hesitation
they ordered him to discnount He the,,
offered them his pass and said my
name is John Anderson, and am Oh
very imnortart business for Gen Ar
mold"
But TO make sure they made HIM
di&mourt. searched him and found the
papers in Arnold's handwriting over
his signature. Paulding. one OF the
men. exclaimed My God. Aronld is a
traitor. and this is a spy"
Andre then offered his watch. purse.
or whatever he had. No" said Pauld-
ing. who had been made prisoner by
the British three times. mo. for ten
Thousand guineas."
They took him to the nearest Ameri-
can pos and gave him over TO the com
mandins officer. who thoughtcssly al
lowed him write to Arnold. When Ar
mold received this message he escaped
by going down the river in his barge
10 the ''Vulture." leaving behind his
young wife. whom he had married in
Philadelphia. heartbroken She after
wards iDirP1 him.