The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-07-26
THE TRAGEDY OF THE CAVE.
A LOVE MESSAGE WRITTEN By DYING SOL
nIER HUNDRED YEARs AGO.

A LOVE MESSAGE WRITTEN BY DYING SOL
DER HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
R.Aprsa, PA, July 15.-Editor Ksuf-
man Of the Chester Valley Union, aud W.
w. Potts. of Warwick, Superintendent OF
one of tho extensive granite quarries NJ
Falls Of French Creek, furnish here to-day
one Of the strsngest stories on record ana
youch for its authenticity.
Recently while new quarry was oeing
opened at Falls Of French Creek, in WHO
section of country, cave was discovered
.,.,--l-s-avsr;...v-s s-S s.osssvu'' e,-s 1Sils
Potts took possession Of 1t.
In the evening at his home he opened it
and found o manuscript, faded and dis
colored by time. The manuscript is ad-
dressed to Miss Virginia Randolph, Of Rich
mond, Va. The writer signs himself Arthur
L. Csrrington, of the same place, and he
states that he was with Washington at VAL
ley Forge in 1878. He goes on to say that
he was sent out on foraging expedition to
the neishborbood of French Creek, when
he received word that tho British had sent
q considerable force to cut him OF. The
writer says that his men took refuge with
friends while he made his way to the cave,
where he had hidden before. 1t was
marked by o rock just over the en-
trance, so nicely balanced that man could
move it slightly with one hand.
The fleeing patriot took shelter inside
and had hardly done 80 when the enemy
came near and fred three shots after his re-
treating 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 alono
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. lie feels the fever
coming on, and with reason almost dethroned
indicts this letter-haviDg writing materials
in his pocket-with the hope that the world
may some day know his fate. lie speaks
pathetically Of the memory and love of his
betrotbed and concludes rs follows
ole who has created us must know what
is good for us and can only submit an
trust. To know your heart is mine atoncs-
far more than atenes-for oil | have suf-
fered or can yet suffer. My life seems to
have begun with our love; only since then
have truly lived. You have shielded me
from every evil thought | have been in
every waya better man since | loved you.
When gnzed into the pure depths of your
dark-bule eyes doubts and shadows fed
from me. Oh, Virginia, Virginia, l am
looking into them now
God is good God is mcrciful to let you
seem so near me. You are praying for me
now, ut this moment, feel it know it is
so, my beloved. II is not farewell Il can
not say farcw ell-thcre is no farewell to
love like ours. This agony will soon be
over and l will be free. | will he waiting
for You in the land of the hereafter. Nir-
ginia, my best beloved, am almost there,
and something tells me will not have to
whit long for your coming.
No ono should ever doubt the goodness,
the love Of God. | feel his ways arc the
best. lie has bound our souls together for
evermorc. Blessed he his holy name
The date of the manuscript is May 20,
11TS. MIR. Potts says he wrote to an old
friend in Richmond. This friend sent him
word that her grandmothcr's maiden name
had been Randolph aud that in an old
family burying ground near her house, was
monument with this inscription:
Died Of n broken heart, on the 1st Of
March, 1850, Virginia Randolph, aged II
yenrs and . days.
Faithful unto death
This friend also scnls Mr.. Potts two old
letters, written 10 years ago to Alice Pcy-
ton by Rachel Randolph, in which the dis
appearance of the young man is referred to
and the approaching end Of the young girl.
Mr.. Potts concludes his statement as fol-
lows: ..-.- --- --....
10 be removed and will soon rest by the
side Of his beloved Virginia"
Mr.. Potts says that he has the original
manuscript, and Editor Kaufman give. the
entire story II strong editorial Endorsement.