The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-10-15

And the flowers that bloom know not decay;
A thousand years are, indeed, as one, Es&
But of bitterness then the soul hath none:
And this is all when all is done.
s>S--
A CALIFORNIA ROMANCE.
THE lives of the pioneers in the remote
mining districts of California were gen
orally devoid of romance or excitement,
save that witnessed at the gaming tables,
and TO relieve the monotony of noun
tain life they frequently passed few
months in "'Frisco" (San Francisco), or
sojourned for 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 it in care of his partners
and set out to visit relative who re-
sided in the Willamette Valley, some
300 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 for the winter.
Near the time of starting they were
Joined by young man named Alfred
Boise, whose parents reside in Oregon
He had recently been -sufferin 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 sum
nit was reached he became exhausted
and had it not been for the kindly assis.
lance of Bradbury must have persisted
From this occurrence they became warm
friends, and at young Bosses urgent sole
itation Bradbury accompanied him to his
home near the head waters of the
Umpqua, where he was cordially wei
coined by the family. 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 remaining to several
weeks. Not wishing, however, to pro-
long his visit to a visitation, he babe his
new-found friends a reluctant adieu and
continued on his way to the Willamette.
Here he purchased 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 few weeks with
his relatives, but the spirit Of unrest
possessed him, and he soon turned his
face southwark, urging as an excuse that
his business at Indian Town demanded
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 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 cabins and
your claims and never come back"
Bit said Bradbury, 81 will marry
you before go back, and when / have
provided home for you you shall come
to me- or will come after YOU"
She would give no diregt 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
toward 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 very
near each other. Said Adaliza:r ~ -
If you will pass those twin live oaks
before do, l will go with you to Cali
fornia some day"
Bradbury prided himself upon his
Workmanship, and accepted the chal
lenge with awave of the hand and la.
comic !" Pm your man" dashed spurs into
his steed, and sped like an antelope over
the plain. The girl was taken sbv sur
prise at his sudden movement, but gave
her horse the word, and he, too,
stretched neck and nerve till the hol-
low earth rang" 1t has already been in
timated that Bradbury was well mount
ed; his companion was no less SO, and
they rode on as only those can ride who
are at home in the saddle.
Bradbury's sudden movement had
given him the advantage of 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 hotly
contested race, he bent to his work in
true race-horse style, reaching Tong,
breathing loud, like q creviced wind
blows" -
2 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 be ran.
For quarter of mile he held his own;
Miss Boise, however, came once or twice
very near, but not maintaining her posi-
tion at Bradbury's side. The goal was
almost reached and he was .confident of
victory. But he had not counted on his
as a race rider. She had
restrained her horse for the final dash
on with burst of speed
that placed her fairly at Bradbury's side
and seemed sure to give. her the victory.
Indeed the victory .seenleda already hers,
Tor with long and steady leaps she was
sweeping past-at the moment they were |
70 pass the goal At this period, how
ever, the forefeet of Bradbury's horse |
went down in the burrowof . gopher, he
stumbled upon his knees, the girth
parted, and Bradbury went over the
horses head and into the air like a rock.
ct, landing beyond the goal and a ward
or two ahead of his fair competitor.
Striking up1p5the mellow earth he made |
4 series of eSoiutions, but tegained his |
feet with no injury save q pretty severe
shock from the alEapt manner Of dis.