Arnold's TempterComfort, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Freeman)
History
Arnold's Tempter
Comfort, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Freeman)
Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801 -- Fiction; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Fiction
“Very true, papa dear, but can you not let us talk over a few of the
events of the evening? That is the best part of an evening affair,--to
talk over what people said and what happened,” contended Mollie, when
she sat down to rehearse the evening’s events in girlish fashion.
“What a pity it was that the news arrived about General Arnold just in
the midst of the gayest part of the evening,” continued Mollie bubbling
over with the animation of youth. “What a fine minuet Mr. Barclugh can
dance! I was more than delighted! But did you see how pale he became
when he heard about General Arnold? And did you see how the Shippens
took the news? It was awful! Well, everybody will remember this party
from the tragic episodes caused by the Arnold treason!”
“Now, there, there, Mollie, you are too much worked up. You must give
yourself rest and repose for we can not tell what the morrow will bring
forth in these stirring times,” insisted Dr. Greydon, as he went up to
Mollie and took her by both hands and kissed her.
“Yes, Mollie, you must have rest,” reiterated her mother, as Mollie
went to her and kissed her good-night.
But no sooner had Mollie departed than very serious matters presented
themselves for discussion between Dr. Greydon and his wife about their
only daughter.
Dr. Greydon arose and taking his wife by the hand, said in his most
tender tones:
“Martha, my dear, we have astounding revelations to discuss, and I wish
that you would come into my office and there go over the matter with
me.”
“Very well, William,” assented Mrs. Greydon. “I hope that it is not
very bad news,” she continued as she took Dr. Greydon’s arm and
both went to the office in the south elevation of the quadrangle of
buildings.
Dr. Greydon led the way to the office and conducted his wife to a large
easy-chair, when he sat down at his desk and began to discuss the
important matters on his mind.
“My dear Martha, our Segwuna returned from New York to-night and
came to my office. She brought me the news about General Arnold and
Major Andre. She also informed me that our Mr. Barclugh has been the
secret agent of the British in Philadelphia, and has been in secret
communication with General Clinton for the purpose of carrying out
Arnold’s plot,--the surrender of West Point to the enemy.”
“What! Mr. Barclugh, the agent of the British!” exclaimed Mrs. Greydon.
“Yes, the _agent_ of the British! He had offered General Arnold twenty
thousand pounds sterling and a Brigadier-Generalship in the English
army.”
“Oh, what perfidy,” cried Mrs. Greydon. “How does Segwuna know these
things?”
“She followed Mr. Barclugh to New York and saw him with Major Andre and
General Clinton. She learned much while nursing him during his case of
the _peste_; and finally she went to New York and interviewed Major
Andre, who showed his concern at what Segwuna knew of the plot.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account