The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-07-03
AN OREGON ROMANCE.

The lives of the pioneers in the re-
mote mining districts of California were
generally devoid of romance or excite
ment, save that Witnessed at the gaming
tables, and to relieve the monotOny of
mountain life they generally passed a
few months in Frisco" (San Franc; ;sco).
or soiourned for q season with the Web
feet, otherwise known as Oregonians
Mr.. Charles Bradbury, of Indian Town,
northern California, had been fortunate
in mining, and as winter was approach
ing, when little could be done in his
claim, he left 1t in care of his partners
and set out to visit relative who resi-
ded 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 noun
tains before they should be closed for
the winter.
Near the time of starting they were
joined by 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 even for the most vigorous ;
but his anxiety overcame his prudence
and he set out with the others. Before
the summit was reached he became
quite exhausted, and had it not been
for the kindly assistance of Bradbury
he must have perished. From this oc-
currence they became strong friends,
and at young Boise's urgent solicitation
Bradbury accompanied him to his home
near the head waters of the Umpqua,
where he was cordially welcomed by
the family. a sister of his friend,
named Adaliza, was a charming girl of
seventeen or eighteen summers, and at
once won the admiration of the suscepti-
BILE Californian. His stay was length
ened from the few days which he at
first purposed remaining, to several
weeks. Not wishing, however, to pro-
long his visit to a visitation, he bade
his new-fOund friends q reluctant adieu
and continued on his way to the Villa
mette. Here he purchased a fine horse
and not unfrequently tested his speed
with that of the best horses in the
neighborhood, and always to his entire
satisfaction.
Bradbury remained a few weeks
with his relatives, but the spirit of I'M
rest possessed him, and he soon turned
his face southwark, urging as an excuse
that his business at Indian Town de-
manded his presence. His business,
however, was not SO pressing but that
he turned aside to halt awhile at the
rancho of his friends, the Boises. His
admiration for the fair Adaliza had
deepened to the tender passion, and
this fact he was not slow to declare.
But she replied;
{" You CalifOrnians like nothing bet
ter than to come here and make love to
us web-foOt girls, and when you have won
our hearts, you go off to your cabins
and your claims and never come back. "
But" said Bradbury, 81 will
| marry you before go back, and when
I have provided a home for you, you
shall come to me, or I will come after
you"
But she would give no direct answer,
but remained on very f.iendly 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. They were nearly a
mile from the rancho, near which grew
two large live-oak trees, standing TeI =
near each other. Said Adaliza
" If you will pass those twin live
oaks before 1 do, I will go with you to
| California some day."
Bradbury prided himself upon his
| orsemanship, and accepting the chal
| Ienge with a wave of the hand and la
comic, I'm your man " 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 the word, and he too
g stretched neck and nerve till the hol-
| low earth rang" It has already been
intimated that Bradbury was we'll
mounted; his companion was no less so,
/ and they rode on as only those can ride
/ who are at home in the saddle.
| BradbuTy's sudden movement had
| given him the advantage by a few rods,
| but he soon realized that it would be No
! easy matter to maintain it. The girl
was urging her horse by whip and voice,
and having been the winner in many 8
hotly contested race, he bent to his
! work In true race-horse style, " reach.
ing long, breathing loud like a creviced
/ 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 b ginning to tell on the
/ noble beast, which seemed to realize the
/ value of the stakes for which he ran,
| For quarter OF a mile he held his own
Miss Boise, however, coming once ol
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 opponents skill as {
/ race-rider. She had restrained hel
horse for the final dash and now came
on with burst of speed that placed hel
fairly at Bradbury's side and seemed
sure TO give her the victt ~. Indeed
the victory seemed already hers, FOL
with long and steady leaps her horse