Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-12-02
Whole No. l73.

victory. But he had not counted
on his opponents skill as race
rider. She had restrained her horse
for the final dash, and now came
on with burst of speed that plac-
ed her fairly at Bradbury's side,
and seemed sure to give her the
vistory. Indeed the victory seem
ed already hers, for the long and
steady leaps Of her horse were
sweeping fast at the moment they
were to pass the goal. At this pc
riod, however, the fore feet Of
Bradhury's horse went down into
the hurrow of gopher, he stumb-
led upon his knees, the girth part
ed, and Bradbury went over his
horses head and into the air like
rocket, landing beyond the goal
and yard or two beyonl his COM
petitor. Striking upon the mellow
earth, he performed a series of rev.
olutions, but regained his feet with
no injury save pretty severe shock
from the abrupt manner Of dis
mounting.
He had sufficient presence Of
mind to exclaim with tho first
breath: 81 lelieve you're mine,"
while Adaliza, refining in her steed
with steady hand, sprang lightly
to the ground, and in a moment
was at his side anxiously inquiring
if he was hurt. His horse regain
cd his feet and stood near with
sheepish expression, rs though he
were the variest culprit on earth.
Bradbury found himself able to
walk, and before he and his COM
panion reached the house. she had
promised that when Christmas
should come again, she would be-
come his wife, and go with him to
his mountain home. And so it was
settled that at that time he would
come for her. With this under
standing he again clasped hands in
parting, and set out for bis home in
Sislliyon. He found his partner
eagerly awaiting his return, anl all
were soon busy with pick, shovel
and hydraulic.
As autumn aprroac' ed and the
the water in the creek became too
low for mining purposes, Bradbury
set about erecting a house some
what more pretentious than the
limited quarters occupied by him
self and partner.
A pleasant site near the town
was selected, and though the house
was far from reing an elegant or
imposing structure, it was neat and
comfortable, and far superior to a
majority of the homes of the pion-
eers.
Not long after he left Boise's, a
young drover from Southern Ore
gon called at the rancho, and stop
ping for several days, became quite
enamored of the fair Adaliza. His
attentions were not received with
favor, but he persisted, and at the
first opportunity proposed.
The girl frankly told him that
she was affianced, and that her lov-
er was in California. OF this he
was already aware, but he feigned
ignorance. He laughed at the idea
of her trusting to a minor from the
mountains, saying they were like
the sailors, and made love for pas
time.
After some time, becoming wear
led with his opportunities, she told
him that if Bradbury did not re-
turn by the appointed time, she
would talk with him, but till that
time she would have nothing more
to say to him on the subject. lie
took his departure, but not, how
ever, until he had made an arrange
ment with friend, who lived near
by, to notify him promptly if Brad
bury did not return by the twenty
fifth of December.
While engaged in building his
house, Bradbury received an injury
from falling 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 noun
tains, he stopped one night at Jack
sonville, and then pushed forward
as rapidly as possible, for his forced
delay had occasioned him no little
anxiety. On the second day after
leaving Jacksonville he fell in with
a traveller, riding like himself, on
horse back, and in the same direc-
ton. This stranger gave his name