Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-04-11
a wEB-FOOT ROMANCE.

| mlnlnS ulstrlcts OF california were gener-
ally 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 sojourn-
ed for season with the Oregonians, 9TH
erwise known rs Web-feet. Mr.. Charles
Bradbury, of Indian Town, in Northern
California, had been quite 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 Will
lammette Valley, some three hundred
miles distant. A party had been made
up to cross tho Siskiyou Mountains, 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
would be closed for the winter.
Near the time of starting they were
Joined by II young man named Alfred
Boise, whose parents resided in Oregon
He had recently been suffering from in
disposition and was cautioned not to un-
dertake the trip, which was sufficiently
arduous for even tho most vigorous but
his anxiety overcamc his prudence and
he set out with the others. Before the
summit was reached he became quite ex-
hausted, and had it not been for the
kindly assistance of Bradbury he must
have persisted. From this occurrence
they became warm friends, and at young
Bolse's solicitation Bradbury accompan-
led him to his home near the head water,
of the Umpqua, where he was kindly
welcomed by the family. A sister of hi
friend, named Adaliza, was a 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 purposod remaining, to several
weeks. Not wishing, however, to pro.
long his visit to n visitation, he babe his
new found friends u reluctant adieu and
continued on his way to tho Willamette
lloro he purchased n fine horse, and not
unfrequently tested his speed with that
of the best horses of the neighborhood,
and always to his entire satisfaction.
Bradbury remained few weeks with
his relatives, but tho spirit of unrest pos
sessed him, and he soon turned his face
southwark, urging as an excuse that his
business at Indian Town required hit
presence. His business, however, wal
not SO pressing but that he turned asid,
to halt awhile at tho residence of hi
friends, the Boses. His admiration fol
the fair Adaliza had deepened TO the ten,
der passion, and this fact he was not slow
TO declare. But she replied
You Caliiornians like nothing better
than to come hero and make love to us
| Wcb-foot girls, and when you have won
our hearts you go of to your cabins and
your claims, and never come back"
But" said Bradbury, " will marry
before go back, and when l have pro-
vided home for you, you shall come tc
me, or will come after YOU"
But she would give him no direct an
swer, remained on very friendly termi
with him, and they often rode together t
the neighboring village and to othe
points about the valley.
One day they were riding slowly to-
ward home, and Bradbury was urging
his suit, and pleading for an answer tC
end his suspense. They were nearly 9
mile from the ranch, near which grew
two large live oak trees, standing very
near each other. Said Adaliza
"Ify you will pass those twin 1.-Two oak
before do, ! will go to California will
you some day"
Bradbury prided himself upon hi
horsemanship, and accepted the challeng
with a wave Of his hand and laconi
Pm your man." dashed spurs into hi
stecd, and sped like an antelope over th
plain. The girl was taken by surprise a
his sudden movement, but gave her hors
the word, and he too stretched neck ant
stretched nerve till the hollow cart
rang" II has already been intimate
that Bradbury was we'll mounted, hi
companion was no less so, and they rod
on as only those can ride who are at hom
in the saddle.
Bradbury's sudden movement ha
given him the advantage by few rods
but he soon realized that il would be n
easy matter TO maintain it. The girl wa
urging her horse by whip and voice, an
having been the winner in many hotly
contested race, he bent to his work i
true race-horse style, reaching long
breathing loud, like n creviced win
blows"
} Little more than one half the dstanc
was passed, when Bradbury bccam
, aware that his competitor was pressin
} hard upon his flank, and he knew thi
his weight was beginning TO tell upon I'll
) noble beast, which seemed to realize u
value Of the stake for which he ran. FL
quarter of mile he held his own
Miss Boise, however, coming once {
= twice very near, but not maintaining he
, position at Bradbury's side. The gos
: was almost reached and he was confder
A of victory. But he had not counted o
a his opponents skill as race-rider. Sh
+! had restrained her horse for the final das
e and now came on with burst of spec
that placed her fairly at Bradbury's sid
and seemed sure TO give her the victory
! Indeed, the victory seemed already hers