Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-12-12
A Bit Of Romance.

were generally devoid OF romance or
excitement, save that witnessed at the
gaming tables and to relieve the
monotony of mountain life they fire.
quently passed few months IN Frisco
(San Francisco,) or sojourned for a
season with the Web-feet, otherwise
known. as the Oregonians.
Mr.. Charles Bradbury, of Indian
Town, Northern California, had been
quite fortunate in mining, and as winter
was approaching, when little could be
done in his claim, he left it in care Of
his partners, and sent out to visit a
relative who resided in the Willamette
Valley, some three hundred miles dis
tant. A party had been made up to
cross the Siskiyon, on whose summit
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
Boyce, whose parents resided in
Oregon. He had recently been suffer-
Tag from indisposition, and was caution
ed not to undertake 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 kindness of Bradbury, he
must have persisted. From this oc-
currence they became true friends, and
at young Boyce's urgent solicitation,
Bradbury accompanied him to his home
near the head-waters of the Umpaqua,
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 suscep-
tlDle Californian.
His stay was heightened from the
few days which he at first proposed
remaining to several weeks. Not wish
ing however, to prolong his visit unduly
he babe his new found friends re-
luctant adieu, and continued on his way
to the willamette. Here he purchased
fine horse, and not upfrequently tested
his speed with that of the best horses in
the nelghborhood, and always to his
entire satisfaction. Bradbury remained
a 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 urgently demanded his presence.
But his business vas not so pressing
| but that he turned aside to halt awhile
at the home of his friends, the Boyces.
His admiration for the fair Adaliza had
deepened into passion. and this fact he
was not slow to declare. But she re-
piled, You Californians like nothing
better than to make love to us Oregon
girls, land when you have won our hearts
you go back to your cabins and claims,
and never come again."
But" said Bradbury, IN marry
you before go back, and when I've
provided home for you, you shall
come to me, Or will come after you"
But she would give him no direct
answer, but remained on very friendly
terms with him, and they often rode to
the neighboring village, and other points
about the valley together.
One day they were slowly riding
towards home, and Bradbury was
urging his suit, and pleading for an
answer to end his suspense. They
were nearly mile from house near
which grew two large oak trees, stand
ing close to each other, when Adallze
said, IF you will pass those twin oaks
before 1 do, 1 will go with you to
California some day."
Bradbury prided himself upon his
craftsmanship, and accepting the chal-
lenge with wave Of his hand and
laconic "I'm yonr man ~ dashed spurs
to his steed and sped like an antelope
over the plains.
The girl was taken by surprise at his
sudden movement, but gave ker horse
the word, and he too, stretched neck
and stretched nerve till the hollow of
the earth rang"
1t has already been intimated that
Bradbury was we'll mounted. His COM
panion 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 by few rods,
but he soon realized that it would be no
easy matter to maintain 1t. The girl
was LtA' iiOlSC ny VIII NOiIC.
and having been the winner in many a
holly contested race he bent closely to
his work in true racc-horse style,
Reaching long. breathing long 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 beginning to tell on the
noble beast, which seemed to realize
the value of his stakes for which he ran.
For quarter of 4 mile he held his
own, Miss Boyce, however coming once
or 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