The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-16
GREAT LOVE
STORIES
of HISTORY
By Albert Pcyson Terhune
MAJOR ANDRE AND
MISS SNEYD
lCopyriSht. by the Aaraor.J

son came 10 America in early revolu-
tiOnary days. to win such fame as SOL
der as might induce his sweethearts
parents to change their minds about
the match.
The man was John Andre. When he
was only Is he had met Miss Honora
Sneyd, a pretty girl whose family was
somewhat better than his own. He
and Miss Sneyd fell in love at first
sight. Andre asked her to be his
wife. She accepted. Then came the
first and great obstacle to their happi-
ness. The young lady's parents did
not care to have their daughter marry
bridesmaids son. They positively
forbade Honora to think further OF
Andre. Tears, prayers and arguments
proved useless. The Sneyds were OBJ
durate. The engagement was broken.
Andre was set to work in his IA
theirs counting house in London. But
the young man speedily decided that a
business life was not only too tame
for him. but that it brought him no
nearer to marrying Miss Sneyd. To
drown his grief as
we'll as in the
'"'e'''e"' hope of making
for himself name that even the
Sneyds must respect, Andre secured
a commission in the British army and
came with his regiment to America.
Just before he sailed the lovers man
aged to steal one farewell interview
Their parting was infinitely sad. yet
hopeful, for both believed the future
held great things for the young SOL
der. When she said good-by to Andre.
Miss Sneyd hung around his neck a
miniature portrait Of herself. He
vowed to wear it as long as he lived.
Then the weeping girl went back
home to wait for her lovers return,
while he sailed westward to begin
his task Of winning fame for her.
Almost as soon as he arrived in
America Andre began to attract atten-
ton in the British army circles. Hand
some. graceful, full Of fun, clever, and
with a peculiarly gentle charm OF
manner, he won all hearts. He was
the center Of the social life at every
garrison he visited; and a score of
girls are said to have fallen head
over heels in love with him. Though
he was chivalrous and attentive to
every woman, he remained true to
Miss Sneyd. He wrote exquisite po-
etry addressed to an unnamed wom-
an. The poems were applauded, but
only his closest friends knew they
were dedicated to the girl who was
waiting for him in England.
He won quick advancement in the
army. Brave as he was handsome, he
rose rapidly to the rank of major and
adjutant general. While serving in
this capacity, in the autumn of 1880,
when only 20 years old, he was chosen
by Sir Henry Clinton, the British COM
mander. as agent to arrange with Ben
edict Arnold for the yielding of West
Point to the English. Arnold, angry
at intustices he had received from
congress. proposed to sci; to the en-
envy the West Point stronghold. of
which he was the commandant. Andre
was sent. under flag of truce. to make
the arrangements. The British ship
on which he went up the Hudson
river to visit Arnold was later driven
away, and when the bargain was com.
pleted, Andre was forced to return to
New York (the British headquarters)
by land. He hid in his stockings the
papers Arnold had given him, and put
on a civilians coat
Near Tarrytown Andre was arrested
by three American militiamen who
searched him and found the papers.
Miss Sneyd's miniature they failed to
discover. For while the militiamen
were searching him Andre managed
to hide the picture in his mouth
He was taken to the nearest Amer
lean garrison. There he succeeded in
sending a warning to Arnold, which
enabled the latter to escape in safety
to the British lines
The news of Andres capture caused
a tremendous sensation. The Brit
ish commander and Arnold both wrote
to Gen. Washington, protesting that
the young man was not spy. and beg.
ging that his life be spared. But,
caught as he had been, carrying trea.
sonable dispatches from Arnold to the
enemy. there was
-. but one fate for
"ooAA hol iAtOl1cIc 10 CuaURS tue
court-n artials verdict Of death. Ac-
cordinely, on October 2, 1880, Andre
was led forth to be hanged. AS he
opened the neck Of his shirt for the
hangman's moose. Miss Sneyd's por-
trait still rested on his heart. He
went to his fate unflinchingly, turning
to the men near him, as he mounted
the ScaffOd and saving.
Gentlemen, bear me witness to the
world that ! die like brave man."
The whole British rmy went into
mourning for Andre. and a tablet to
his memory was erected in Westmip-
ster abbey. Miss Sneyd did not live
to hear Of his tragic death. A few
weeks earlier she herself had died of
a broken heart, having gradually lost
health and hope. through the long
waiting for her absent lovor