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

slight shock from the abrupt manner of
dismounting.
He had sufficient presence of mind to
exclaim with his first breath. Il believe
you are mine ~ while Adaliza, refining
in her steed with ready hand, sprang
to the ground, and in a moment was at
his side, anxiously inquiring if he was
hurt. His horse regained his feet and
stood near by with sheepish express
sion, as though he were the veriest cul-
prit on earth.
Bradbury found himself able to walk,
and before he and his companion reach
ed the house she had promised that
when the spring should come again she
would become his wife and 60 with him
to his mountain home. And SO it was
settled that at that time he should re-.
turn and get her.
With this understanding they clasped
hands at parting, and he set out for his
home in the Siskiyou. He found his
partners eagerly awaiting his return,
and all were busy with pick and shovel.
AS autumn approached and the wa
ter in the creek became too low for
mining purposes, he set about erecting a
house somewhat more pretentions than
the limited quarters occupied by HIM
self and partners.
A pleasant site near the town was
selected, and thoughe the house was far
from being an elegant or imposing
structure, it was neat and comfortable,
and was far superior to a majority of the
houses Of pioneers.
Not long after he left Boyce's a
young drover from Southern Oregon
called at the house, and stopped for a
day or two becoming quite enamored of
the fair Adaliza. His attentions were
not received with favor, but he persis-
ted, and at the first opportunity pro-
posed.
The girl frankly told him that she was
affianced, and that her lover was in
California. Of this he was aware. but
had pretended ignorance. He laughed
at her idea of trusting to miner from
the mountains, saying that they were
like the sailors and made love for past
time.
After some time, becoming wearied
with his opportunities, she told him that
if Bradbury did not return by the ap-
pointed time she would talk with him,
but until then she would have nothing
more to say on the subject.
He then took his departure not,
however, until he had made arrange
ments with a friend who lived near by
to notify him promptly if Bradbury did
not arrive by the 25th of December.
While engaged in building his house
Bradbury received an injury from fall
ing tree, 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
mountains he stopped one night at
Jacksonville, aud then pushed, forward as
rapidly as possible, for his forced delay
had occas:oned no little anxiety.
On the second day after leaving
Jacksonville he fell in with a traveller
riding, like himself, on horseback, and
in the same direction. This stranger
gave his name as Hartman, and after a
few hours became communicative. He
said thathe had become tired of leading
a single life and was going down to the
Umpaque to change his condition.
Bradbury appeared to take but little
notice of his remarks. but contrived to
keep him talking until he learned that
the young lady whom he was going to
see had been engaged to "a chap from
California" but as he (the Californian
had not appeared at the appointed time,
Hartman expected to step in and VIII
the prize with scarcely an effort. They
continued to travel In sight of Boyce's
house Hartman remarked, with much
assurance, to Bradbury, -'There is the
house of the future Mrs. Harknan!"
Bradbury said nothing, and pretended
that he was iourneying on to Portland
or Salem. Hartman, however, invited
him to call and see his fair Dulcinea,
and touching his horses rein, they rode
on together to the house.
Adaliza was at the door in moment,
as Bradbury sprang lightly from the
saddle she came joyfully to his arms.
Hartman looked on with surprise,
but at length found words to exclaim,
'.What fool was not to know 1t"
He turned his horses head in the
direction whence he came, and no grass
could sprout beneath his feet until he
was out of sight. -.-...
In less than a month there was .
at Boyce's house, aud few
weeks later a horseback journey down
to the Willamette; aud when the early
spring had come, and the skies were
clear, a longer ride through the flower
valleys of Oregon and over
the pine and fir-clad Siskiyou to the
neat cabin at Indian Town.
My friends in that distant mining
town tell me that the voices of beauti-
full children may now be heard around
that unassuming home, where all is
peace and happiness.
The other dayI asked singularly
ministerial-looking friend where could
find coed place for lunch. He looked
at me with grave solicitude, and answer
ed, Il will show you a restaurant