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

He had sufficient presence of mind to
exclaim with his first breath II believe
you are mine % while Adaliza, refining in
her steed with steady hand, sprang
lightly to the ground, and in a moment
was at his side anxiously inquiTing if he
was hurt. His horse reganed his feet
andstood near with sheepishexpression
as though he were the veriest culprit on
earth.
Bradbury found himself able to walk,
and before he and his companion reach
ed the house, she had promised that
when Christmas should come again she
would become his wife, and go with him
TO his mountain home. And so it was set
tied at that time he should come for her
With this understanding he again clasp
ed her in parting, and set out for his
home on the Siskiyou. He found his
partners eagerly awaiting his return and
all were soon busy with pick, shovel and
hydraulic.
As autumn approached and the water
in the creek became too low for mining
purposes, Bradbury set about erecting
house somewhat more pretentious than
the limited quarters occupied by himself
and partners.
A pleasant site near the town was Sc
lected, and though the house was far
from being an elegant or imposing struc-
ture, it was neat and comfortable and far
superior to a majority of the homes of
pioneers.
Not long after he left Boise's, a young
drover from Southern Oregon, called at
the rancho, and stopping for a day or
two, became quite enamored of the fair
Adaliza His attentions were not receiv-
ed with favor, but he persisted, and at the
first opportunity proposed,
The girl frankly told him that she was
afiianced, and that her lover was in Cali
fornia. OF this he was already aware,
but had feigned ignorance. He laughed
at the idea of her trusting to miner
from the mountains, saying they were
like the sailors and made love for pas
time .i
After some time, becoming wearied
with his opportunities, she told him that
if Bradbury did not return az the appoin-
ted time, she would talk with him, but
until that time she would have nothing
to say to him on the subject. He then
took his departure not, however, until
he had made an arrangement with
friend, who lived near by, to notify him
promptly if Bradbury did not return by
the twenty-ffth of December.
While engaged in building his house,
Bradbury received an injury from fall
ing timber which disabled him for some
weeks, and oCcasiOned some delay in his
departure, so that Christmas was already
past when he set out. Crossing the
mountains, he stopped one night at Jack
sonville, and then pushed forward as
rapidly as possible, for his forced deten-
ton had occasioned him no little ankle
ty.
On the second day after leaving Jack
sonville he fell in with a traveller, riding
like himself on horseback, and in the
same direction. This stranger gave his
name as Harkman, and after few hours
became communicative He said that
he had become tired of leading single
life, and was going down to Umpqua to
change his condition. Bradbury appear
ed to take but little notice of his remarks
but contrived to keep him talking until
he learned that the young lady whom
he was going to see had been engaged to
"a chap from California" but as he, the
Californian, had not appeared at the APP
pointed time, Harkman expected to step
in and win the prize with scarcely an ef-
fort. They continued to travel in COM
pany, and when they came in sight of
Bosses rancho, Harkman remarked with
much assurance:
"There is the home of the future Mrs.
Harkman
Bradbury said nothing, but pretended
that he was journeying on to Portland or
Salem. Harkman, however, invited him
to call on his fair Dulcinea, and touching
his horses rein, they rode together to the
house. Adaliza was at the door in mo-
ment, and as Bradbury sprang lightly
from the saddle she came to his arms as
only Oregon girls can and do come to the
arms of their lovers. Harkman looked
on with surprise, but at length found
words to eyclaim:
"Euchered what a grouse (0regonian
for simpleton) | was not to know it p
He turned his horses head in the direc-
ton whence he came, and no grass could
even sprout beneath his horses feet un-
til he was out of sight.
On New Years day there was we'd
ding at Boise's rancho, and few weeks
later horseback journey down to the
Willamette, and when the early spring
had come, and the skies were clear, a
longer ride through the hower-be-sprink-
led valleys of Oregon, and over the fir
and pine clad Siskioon to the neat cabin
at Indian Town.