The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-10-02

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Z 49,
R4>~k-
"it's his ragged resimsntais!" cried
Cecilia.
have copied the following from the let
ter itself, with only slight changes Of
punctuation and spelling:
l, Roger Hartley Virgins. some time
known az Adoniram Caldwell having now
resumed my proper name and being about
to marry and having begun tho construc-
ton Of q habitation for myself wherein
to end my days. truthfully set forth these
matters:
Ny father. Hiram Virgins Of Rhode Is
land, having supported the royalist cause
In our late war for Independence and an
gered by my friendliness to the patriots,
and he, with - brothers and sister hav-
ing returned to England after the evac-
uation Of Boston. I Joined the Continental
Island in July, 1776, serving in various
commands thereafter to the best Of my
ability to the end. = . : My father has
now returned to Rhode Island and has,
learn been making inquiries touching my
whereabouts and condition. so that have
every hope that we may become recon-
ciled. Yet as my services to the country
were against his wishes and caused 50
much harshness and heartache, and being
now come into part of the country
where am unknown. am decided to re-
sumo my rightful name, that my wife and
children may bear it and in the hope that
may myself yet add to It some hon.
or. 49,
Nor shall my wife or any children that
may be born to me know from me
Gladly blurred). Yet, not caring to de-
stroy my sword, which l bore with some
credit, nor these testimonials Of respect
and confidence l received as Adoniram
Caldwell at various times and from vari-
Gus personages Of renown, both civilians
and in the military service. place them
under my house now building. where
hope in Gods care to end my days IN
peace. l would in like case make Ike
choice again.
Ten lines following this were wholly
illegible, but just before the date Guuc
II, 1880 and the signature. which was
written large, was this:
God preserve these American states that
they endure in unity and concord forever!
We had all been moved by the read
ing of this long lost letter, and Miss
Octavia's voice had faltered several
times.
mr.. Virgins once told me that his
great-grandfather had lived somewhere
in Westchester county. but fancy he
had no IDEA that Hopeaeld was the
identical spot" remarked Miss Octa-
via. 1T seems incredible, and yet !
dare say the hand of fate Is in it.
"Oh, it's so wonderful; 90 beyond BE-
lief" cried Cecilia, reverently folding
the letter. which, I observed. she re-
tanned in her own hands.
ITS wonderful" added Miss Octa-
via promptly. taking the sword. which
Pepperton had with difficulty drawn
from its battered scabbard. that even
discerning woman like me could have
been so mistaken. l recall with humtl-
ity that last Fourth Of July, at Berlin,
l reprimanded- Mr.. Virgins severely
because his family had not been repre-
scented in the war for American lnde-
pendence. BY the irony Of circum-
stances 1t becomes my duty to present
to him the very sword that his admit
rable great-grandfather bore in tn
vnnnentous struggle"
Several copies of New York newspa-
pers, half a dozen French gold coins,
the miniature of woman's face,
which we assumed to be that Of Roger
Virgins mother or sister. were briefly
examined; then by Miss Octavia's or
jers we carefully returned everything
to the chest. Several packets Of let
tiers we did not open.
ARNOLD" she said when we had
closed the chest. will you and Mr..
Pepperton kindly carry that box to my
room? No servants hand shall touch
It, and shall myself give it to Mr..
Virgins at the earliest opportunity"
We had lost track Of time in those
hidden rooms, preserved by the within
Of one man that the secret Of another
might be discovered, and found with
surprise, after the chest had been car
ried to Miss Octavia's apartments. that
It was after Z o'clock. We had been In
the hidden rooms for more than thrss
hours.
I'VE shall have much to talk about
tonight, and fancy we are all good
deal shaken. It's not often We receive
| q letter from dead man. 20 we shall
admit no callers tonight unless, in.
! deed, Mr.. Virgins should chance 10
come" announced Miss 0ctavia. THE
next time Hartley Virgins visits this
house he shall come as q conqueripe
hero"
II hope So" replied Cecilia brokenly.
We were still at dinner when the
cards Of Dick and the other suitors
! had last seen at the Prescott Arms
were brought In; but Virgins made no
sign. and wondered.
.
! q .