The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-10-15
A CALLF0RNLA ROMANCE.

NNMO ORlNkLE.
A CALIFORNIA ROMANCE.
The lives of pioneers in the remote
mining districts of California were gem
orally devoid of romance or excitement,
save that witnessed at the gaming tables,
and to relieve the monotony of mountain
life they frequently passed few months
in Frisco" (San Francisco, or sOjourned
for a few months with the "Webfeet,"
otherwise known as the 0regonians. Mr..
Charles Bradbury ofIndian Town North
ern California, had been fortunate in
mining, and as winter was approaching
when little could be done in his claim, he
left it in care of his partners and set out
to visit a relative who resided in the
Willamette Valley, some three hundred
miles distant. A party had been made
up to cross the Siskiyou, on the summit
of which the snow already lay deep.
This, it was understood, would be the
last party which would undertake.
the passage of the mountains before
they should be closed up for the Win
ter.
Near the time of starting they were
Joined by young man named Alfred
Boise, whose parents reside in Oregon.
He had recently been suffering from in
disposition and was cautioned not to un-
dertake the trip, which was sufficiently
arduous even or the most vigorous;
but his anxiety overcame his prudence
and he set out with the others. Before
the summit was reached, he became ex-
hausted, and had it not been for the
kindly assistance of Bradbury, must have
perished From this occurrence they
became warm friends, and at young
Bosies urgent solicitation Bradbury ac-
companied him to his home near the
head waters of the Umpqua, where
he was cordially welcomed by the fam
lily.
A sister of his friend, named Adaliza,
was charming girl of seventeen or
eighteen summers, and at once won the
admiration of the susceptible Californian.
His stay was heightened from the few
days which he at first proposed remain
ing to several weeks Not wishing, how
ever, to prOlong his visit to a visitation,
he bade his new found friends reluc-
tant adieu and continued on his way
to the Willamette. Here he purcha-
sed fine horse, and not unfrequen-
tly tested his speed with that of the
best horses in the neighborhOOd and al
ways to his entire satisfaction.
Bradbury remained few weeks with
his relatives, but the spirit of unrest pos
sessed him, and he soon turned his face
southwark, urging as an excuse that his
business ut Indian Town demanded his
presence. His business however; was
not so pressing but that he turned aside
to pass awhile at the ranhce of his friend
Boises. His admiration forthe fair Ada
liza had deepened into the tender passion
and this fact he was not slow to declare.
But she replied;
"You Californians like nothing better
than to come here and make love to
us web-fOot girls, and when you have
won our hearts, you go off to your cab
ins and your claims, and never come
back"
"But," said Bradbury, II will marry
you before go back, and when | have
provided a home for you, you shall
come to me, or | will come after
you"
But she would give no direct answer
but remained on very friendly terms with
him, and they often rode together to the
neighboring village and to other points
about the valley.
One day they were slowly riding to-
ward home, and Bradbury was urging
his suit, and pleading for an answer to
end his suspense. The were nearly a
mile from the ranch, near which grew
two large live oak trees, standing very
near each other. Said Adaliza:
"If you will pass those twin like-oaks
before l do, l will go with you to Califor-
MIA some day"
Bradbury prided himself upon his
horsemanship,a and accepted the challenge
with wave of the hand and a laconic,
"Tm your man p dashed spurs into his
steed and sped like an antelope over the
plain. The girl was taken by surprise at
his sudden movement, but gave her
horse she word, and he too stretched
neck and nerve till the hollow earth
rang" 1t has already been intimated
that Bradbury was well mounted his
companion was no less 80, and they rode
on as only those can ride who are at
home in the saddle.
Bradbury's sudden movement had CIV
en- him the advantage Of few rods, but
he soon realized that it would be no easy
matter to maintain it. The girl was urg-
ing her horse by whipand voice,and hav-
ing been the winner in many hOtly
contested race, he bent to his work in
true race horse style. reaching long,
breathing loud like a creyiced wind
blows"
Little more than one half the distance
was passed. when Bradbury became
aware that his competitor was pressing
hard upon his flank, and he knew that
his weight was beginning to tell upon
the noble beast, which seemed to realize
the value of the stakes for which ne ran.
Fora quarter ofa mile he held his own;
Miss Boise. however, coming once or
twice very near, but not maintaining her
position at Bradbury's side. The goal
was almost reached and he was confident
of victory. But he had not counted on
his opponent's skill as race-rider. She
had restrained ner horse for the hnai
dash, and now came on with q burst OF
speed that placed her fairly at Bradbury 5
side. and seemed sure to give her the
victory. Indeed the victory seemed al
ready hers. for with long and steady
LEAPS. she was sweeping past at the mo-
ment they were to pass the goal AT
this period, however, the foreieet OF
Bradubry's horse went down IN tne Duf-
row of a gopher, he stumbled upon ms
knees, the girth parted, and Bradbury
went over the horses head and INTO the
air like a rocket, landing beyond the goal
and yard or two aheai Of his fair com
petitor. Striking upon the mellow earth
he made a series of revolutions out re-
gained his feet with no injury save q
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