Year: 1874

was sweeping past at the moment they
were to pass the goal. At this period
however, the fore-feet of Bradbury:
horse went down in the burrow of 6
gopher, he stumbled upon his knees
the girth parted and Bradbury went
over the horses head and into the All
like a rocket, landing beyond the goal
and a yard or two ahead of his fail
competitor. Striking upon the mellow
earth he performed a series of evolu.
tions, but regained his feet with no In.
jury save a pretty severe shock from
the abrupt manner of dismounting.


He had sufficient presence of mind to
exclaim with his first breath ''I be.
lieve you're mine :" while Adaliza, rein.
ing in her steed with steady hand,
sprang lightly to the ground, and in q
moment was at his side anxiously in
quiring if he were hurt. His horse re-
gained his feet and stood near with q
sheepish expression, as though he were
the veriest culprit on earth.


Bradbury found himself able to walk,
and before he and his companion reach
ed the house she had promised that
when Christmas should come again she
would become his wife, and go 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 eagerly awaiting his
return, and all were soon busy with
pich, shovel and hyd1aulic.


As autumn approached and the water
in the creek become too low for mining
purposes, Bradbury set about erecting
a house somewhat more pretentious than
the limited quarters occupied by him
self and partners.


A pleasant site near the town was Sc
lected, and though the house was far
from being an elegant or imposing
structure, it was neat and comfortable
and far superior to a majority of the
homes of pioneers.


Not long after he left Bosses, a
young drover from Southern oregon
called at the ranch, and stopping for a
day or or two became quite enamored
of the fair Adaliza. His attentions
were not received with favor, but he
persisted, and at the first oppor, uuity
proposed.


The girl frankly told him that she
was affianced, and that her lover was in
California. OF this he was already
aware, but had feigned ignorance. he
laughed at the idea of her trusting to a
miner fro n the mountains, saying they
were like the sailors, and made love for
pastime.


After some time, becoming wearied
with his opportunities, she told him
that If Bradbury did not return by the
appointed time, she would talk with
him, but until that time she would have
nothing more to say to him on the sub
ject. He then took his departure, not,
however, until he had made an arrange
uent with a friend, who lived near by,
to notify him promptly if Bradbury did
not return by the twenty-tifth OF De
cember.


While engaged in building his house,
Bradbury received an injury from a
falling timber which di, abled him for
some weeks, aud OccasioDed some delay
in his departure, so that Christmas was
already passed when he set out.
Crossing the mountains. he stopped
one night at Jacksonville, 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 traveller, riding like himself on
horseback, and in the same direction.
This stranger gave his name as Hark-
man, and after few hours became COM
municative. He said that he had be
come tired of leading a single life, and
was going down to the Umpqua to
change his condition. Bradbury ap-
peared 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 ga chap from Oalifor-
MA" but as he, the Californian, had
not appeared at the appointed time,
Harkman expected to step IN and win
the prize with scarcely an effort. They
continued to travel in company, and
when they came in sight of Boise s
rancho, Harkman remarked with much
assurance


"There is the home of the future
Mrs. Harkman -


Bradbury said nothing, and pretend
ed that he was jOurneying on to Port
land or Salem. HarkmaD, however, in
vited him to call on his fair Dulcinea,
and touching his horses rein, they rode
together to the house. Adaliza was at
the door IN a moment, and as Bradbury
sprang lightly from the saddle she
came to his arms as only Oregon girls
can and do come to the arms of their
lovers. Harkman looked On with sur
prise, but at length found words to ex-
claim


Eucheredl what a grouse (Oregoni-
an for simpleton) I was not to know it p
He turned his horses head in the di-
rection whence he came, and DO grass
could even sprout beneath his horses
feet until he was out of sight.


On New-Year's day there was a we'd
ding at Boise's rancho, and few weeks
later a horseback journey down to the
Willamette, and when the early spring
had come, and the skies were clear, a
longer ride Through the fower-be-
sprinkled valleys of Oregon, and over
the fir and pine clad Siskiyou to the
neat cabin at Indian Town.


My friends in that distant mining
town tell me that the voices of beauti-
full happy children may be daily heard
around this unassuming home. but
whether they are web-foOted I have
not inquired.


The Great Flood.