Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-04-08
A Bit of Romance.

lff3AN "iohSSoCt ~ tilC SstIlJlIlS ttbiCS.
TO relieve the monotony of mountain lif
they frequently passed few months il
g Frisco" (San Francisco, or soiourne,
known as Orgonians Mr.. Charles Brad
bury. of Indian Town, Northern California,
had been quite fortunate in mining, and Il
winter was approaching when little coul
he done in his claim, he left it in care 0
hisF partners and set out to visit relativ,
who resided in the Willimette Valley som,
three hundred miles distant. A party haze
been made up to cross the Siskivou. on tn,
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 wert.
Joined by Il young man named Alfred Boise,
whose parents resided in Oregon He had
recently been suffering from indisposition
and was cautioned not to undertake the
tripswhich 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 reach
ed he became quite exhausted, and had it
not been for the kindly assistance Of Brad
bury he must have peri>hed. From this
occurrence they became warm friends, and
ut Young Bosses urgent solicitation Brad
bury accompanied him to his home near
the head quarters of the Umpqua, where
he WIS cordially welcomed bv 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 susceptible Californian. His stey
was heightened from the few days which
he ut first proposed remaining to several
weeks. Not wishing, however, to prolong
his visit to a visitation, he babe his new
found friends a reluctant adieu and contin-
ued on his way to the Willamette Here
he purchased fine horse and not unfre-
qnently tested his speed with that of the
best horses in the aeighborhoOd, and al
ways to his entire satisfaction.
Bradbury remained a few weeks with
his relatives, but the spirit of unrest pos
SesSed him. and he soon turned his face
southwark, urging a. an excuse that his
business at Indian Town demanded his
presence His business. however. WAS not
30 pressing but that he turned aside to
halt awhile ut the rancho of his friends
the Boise> His admiration for the fair
Adaliza had decpencd to Il tender passion.
anu lIllS ltNl lIc w a. iiOl NiON " NtNi'ti T.
But She replied:
You Californians like nothing better
than to come here and make love to is
Web-foot girls, and when YOU have won
our hearts YOU 70 off to your cabins and
YOUR claims and never come back.
But" said Bradbury, &" will marry
YOU before | 30 back, and when | have
provided a home for you, You shall come
I ft.,. =
But she wonld give him no direct an
wer. but remained on very friendly terms
with him. and they often rode together to
the neighboring village and to other points
about the vally.
One day they were slowly riding to-
wards home. and Bradbury was urging
his suit, and pleading for an answer to end
his suspense They were nearly mile
from the rancho, near which grew two
large live oak trees. standing very near
each other said Adalza
IF Won will pass those twin live oaks
before do. will 20 with YOU to Califor-
MIA some day.
Bradbury prided himself upon his horse
manship. and accepted the challenge with
Il wave of the hand and Il laconic. =" I'm
YOUR man" dashed spurs into his >tced
anu SINti llkt Ili V"'l bli' I'l'till
The GIRL WIS taken inv surprise at his sud
den movement. bat gave her horse the
word. and he too " stretched neck and
stretched nerve till the hollow earth rang. ''
II has already been intimated that Brad
bury was we'll mounted; his companion
was no less SO. and they rode on rs only
those can ride who are at home in the sad
die
.,,l Han had
him the advantage bv few rods but he
soon realized that it would be no easy
matter to maintain it. The girl was urg-
ing her horse by whip and voice and hav-
inc been the winner in many hotlv con
tested race, he bent to his work in true
horse race stvle. reaching 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 up
on his flank. and he knew that his weight
was beginning to tell on the noble beast.
which seemed to realize the value of the
stakes for which he ran. For a quarter
of mile he held his own; Miss Boise.
however, coming once or twice very near,
but not maintaining her position ut Brad
hurv'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 her
horse for the final dash and now came on
with burst of speed that placed her fair
" at Bradbury's side and seemed sure to
give her the victory. Indeed, the victory
seemed already hers, for with long and
steady leaps her horse was sweeping past
at the moment they were u pass the goal.
At this period, however, the fore feet of
Bradburys horse went down in the bur-
row of a gopher, he stumbled upon his
knees, the girth parted and Bradbury went
over the horses head and into the air like
rocket. landing beyond the goal and Il
yard or two ahead of his fair competitor
Striking upon the mellow earth he per-
formed series of evolutions but reglined
his feet with no injury save pretty
severe shock from the abrupt manner OF
| dismounting.
He had sufficient presence of mind to
exclaim with his first breath: Il believe
you're mine,n while Adaliza refining in
her steed with Il steady hand, sprang
| lightly to the ground, and in a moment
was at his side anxiou>ly inquiring if he
We're hurt His horse regained his feet
and stood near with Il sheepish expression,
us though he were the verlest culprit on
earth.
Bradbury found himself able to walk,
and before he and his companion reached
the house she had promised that when
Christmas should come again she would
become his wife, and 90 with him to his
mountain home. And so it was settled
that at that time he should come for her
With this understanding he again clasped
hands in parting, and set out for his home
in the Siskiyou. He found his partners
eargerly awaiting his return, and all were
soon busy with pick, shovel and hydrau-
lie.
AS autumn approached and the water in
the creek become too low for mining pur-
poses, Bradbury set about erecting II house
somewhat more pretentious than the limi-
ted quarters occupied by himself and part
ners.
A pleasant site near the town was Sc
! lected, and though the house was far from