The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-07-24

Heart in Virginia.
READING, Pa, July 14.-Editor Kauff-
man of the Chester VALLEY Union, and
W. W. Potts of Warwick, superintendent
of one of the extensive granite quarries
at Falls of French Creek, furnish here
to-day one of the strangest stories OH
record and vouch for its entire authen-
ticity.
Recently while new quarry was
being opened at Falls of French Creek,
in a wild section of country, cave was
discovered with a skeleton in it. A
green-glass bottle was found alongside
the skelecon, and Mr.. Potts took posses
sion of it. In the evening at his home
he opened it and found a manuscript,
faded and discolored by time. The
manuscript is addressed 20 Miss Virginia
Randolph of Richmond, Va. The writer
signs himself Arthur L. Darlington of
the same place, and states that he was
with Washington at Valley Forge IN
ITS. He goes on to say that he was
sent out on a foraging expedition to the
neighborbood CT French Creek, when
he received word that the British had
sent considerable force to cut him off.
The writer says that his men took refuge
with friends while he made his way 70
the cave, where he had hidden before.
1t was marked by a rock just over the
entrance, so nicely balanced that a man
could move it slightly with one hand.
The fleeing patriot took shelter inside,
and had hardly done so when the enemy
came near and fired three shots after his
retreating men. The conclusion must
have destroyed the balance of the stone
above the entrance, for it fell and held
the writer prisoner. A ray of sunlight
alone streamed through the top. The
manuscript proceeds to say that after
many weary hours the writer became
convinced that he would have to perish
there. He feels the fever coming on,
and with reason almost dethroned, IN
dites this letter-havlng writing mate
rials in his pocket-wlth the hope that
the world may some day know of his
fate. He speaks pathetically of the
memory and love of his betrothed, and
concludes as follows:
''He who has created US must know
what is good for us, and we can only
submit and trust. To know that your
heart is mine atones-far more than
atones--for all I have suffered or can
yet suffer. My life seems to have begun
with our love; only since then have l
truly lived. You have shielded me from
every evil thought; I have been in every
way a better man since | loved you.
When l gazed into the pure depths of
your dark-blue eyes doubts and shadows
fled from me. All, Virginia, Virginia,
l am looking into them now
"God is good; God is merciful to let
you seem SO near me. You are praying
for me now, at this moment, feel it;
I know it is so, my beloved. 1t is not
farewell-I cannot say farewell-there
is no farewell to love like ours. This
agony will soon be over and l will be
free. l will be waiting for you in the
land of the hereafter. Virginia, my
best beloved, I am almost there, and
something tells me I will not have to
wait long for your coming.
''No one should ever doubt the good
ness, the love of God. I feel his ways
are the best. He has bound our souls
together forever more. Blessed be His
holy name! y
The date of the manuscript is May
20, 177S. Mr.. Potts says that he wrote
to an old friend in Richmond. This
friend sent him word that her grand
Aeea ls:sa Rasa<
dolph, and that in an old family bury
ing ground. near her home, was monu
ment with this inscription:
'Died of a broken heart on the 1st of
March, 1880, Virginia Randolph, aged
81 years and days.
Faithful unto DEATH"
This friend also sends Mr.. Potts two
old letters written 110years ago TO Alice
Peyton by Rachel Randolph, in which
the disappearance of the young man is
referred to and the approaching end of
the young girl. Mr.. Potts concludes his
statement as follows: "Arthur Caring
tons remains are about to be removed
and will soon rest by the side of his be-
loved Virginia" Mr.. Potts says that he
has the original manuscript, and Editor
Kaufman gives the entire story strong
editorial endors ement,