Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1874 — A CALIFORNIA ROMANCE. [ARTICLE]

A CALIFORNIA ROMANCE.

The lives of the pioneers in the remote mining districts ofi'California were generally devoid Of romance or excitement, save that witnessed at the gaming tables, and to relieve the monotony of mountain life they frequently passed a few months in “ ’Frisco” (San Francisco), or sojourned for a season with the “Webfeet,” otherwise known as Oregonians. Mr. Charles Bradbury, of Indian Town, Northern California; had been 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 set out to visit a relative who resided 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 ojf starting they were joined by a young man named Alfred Boise, whose parents reside in Oregon. He had recently been sufferin from indisposition and was cautioned not to undertake the trip, which was sufficiently arduous even for the most vigorous; but his anxiety overcame his prudence and he set put with the others. Before the summit was reached he became exhausted, and had it not been for the kindly assistance of Bradbury must have perished. From this occurrence they became warm friends, and at young Boise’s urgent solicitation Bradbury accompanied him to his home near the head waters of the Umpqua, 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 susceptible Californian. His stay was lengthened from the few days which he at first proposed remaining to several weeks. Not wishing, however, to prolong Ms visit to a visitation, he bade his new-found friends a reluctant adieu and continued on his way to the Willamette. Here he purchased a fine horse, and not unfrequently tested his speed with th&t of the best horses in the neighborhood, and always to his entire-satisfaction. Bradbiiry remained a few weeks with his relatives, but the spirit of unrest possessed him, and he soon turned his face southward, urging as an excuse that his business at Indian Town demanded his presence. His business, however, was not so pressing burt toat turned aside to fealt awhile atlhe ranche of his friends, the Boises. His admiration for the fair Adaliza had deepened into the tender passionr and this fact he was not riow -to declare. she/eplie4:„ , “You Californianslike "nothing better than to coin£ Hefe £nd make love to us web-foofc girls, and when you have won our hearts you go off to your cabins and ’ your claims and never come back.” “ But,” said Bradbury, “ I will marry you before Igo back, and when I have provided a home for you you shall come to me, or I will come after you.” She would, give no direct answer, but remained- on very friendly terms with and they often, vode together to the neighboring village and to other points <about the valley. t. . On© day they were'- slowly riding toward hOMe,’ahd -BHudkury wae urging -Ms suit and pleading for an answer to —*•»-*-—j- qn-rj twubumlj a ‘■ftdjtttollfih’other. Said Adaliza: r “4% yon will those twin live-oaks I#*, I -W’CaliBradbury pnaed himself upon his horsemanship, and accepted the challenge with a wave of. the hand and a laconic “ Pm your man!** dashed spurs into his steed, and sped like an antelope over the plain. The girl was taken by sur prise at his sadden movement, but gave, her horse the word, and he, too;' “’stretched Reck and nerve tfU the -hollow earth rang.” It has already been in-’ timatedthat Bradbury was well mountas only &osfc caPride wS© are in the saddle. Bradbury’s sodden movement had given Mm the s4vantage of $ few rods,

but hesftqn realized thatit would-be no easy matter to maintain it. The girlwas urging her horse by whip and voice, and, having been the winner in manya hotlycontested race,hebent to his work in true race-horse style, “ reaching long, breathing loud, like a creviced wind blows.” =: * little more than ofie-half the distance was passed when Bradury became aware that his competitor was pressing hard upon his flank, and he knew that hie weight was beginning to tell upon the noble beast, which seemed to realize the value of the stakes for which he ran. For a quarter es a mile he held his own; Miss Boise, however, came 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 opponent’s skill as a race-rider. She had restrained her horse for the final dash and hour came on With 1 a burst of speed that placed her fairly at Bradbury’s ride and seemed sure to give her the victory. Indeed the vkyt&ry'Aeemed- already hers, for with long and steady leaps she was sweeping past at the moment they were to pass the goal. At this period, however, the forefeet of Bradbury’s horse went down in the burrow of a gopher, he stumbled upon his knees, the girth parted, and Bradbury went over, the horse’s head and into the air like a rocket, landing beyond the goal and a yard or two ahead of his fair competitor. Striking upon the mellow earth he made a series of evolutions, but regained his feet with no injury save.a pretty severe shock from the abrupt manner of dismounting. He hkd sufficient presence of mikd to -exelaimwith his first breath; “1 believe you are mine!” whijflAdaliga, reining in her steed with a’ steady hand, spraiig lightly to the ground, and ih a moment was at his side anxiously inquiring if we .'were hurt. His horse regained his feet and stood near with a sheepish expression as though he were the veriest 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 go with him to bis mountain home. And «o it was settled 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 pick, shovel and hydraulic. As autumn approached and the water in the creek became too low for mining purposes, Bradbury set about erecting a bouse somewhat more pretentious than the limited quarters occupied by himself and partners. A pleasant site near the town was selected, 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* Boise’s, a young drover from Southern Oregon called at the rfmeh, arid, stopping for a day or two, became quite •enamored of the fair Adallza. His atten.tiohs * Were hot received with favor, but he persisted, and at the first opportunity proposed. The girl frankly told him that she was affianced, and that her lover was m California. Of this he was already aware, but had feigned ignorance. He laughed at the idea of her trusting' to a miner, from the mountains, saying they were like the sailors and made love for pastime. After some time, becoming wearied with his importunities, she told him that if Bradbury did not return at the appointed time she would talk with him, but until that time she would have nothing to say to him on the subject. He then took his departure, not, however, until he had made an arrangement with a friend, who lived near by to notify him promptly if Bradbury did not return by the 25th of December. ’While engaged in building his house BradbUry received an injury from a falling timber 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, and then pushed forward as rapidly as possible, for his forced de-tention-had occasioned him no little anxiety. On the second day after leaving Jacksonville he fell in with a traveler, riding like himself on horseback, and in the Same direction. This stranger' gave his name as Harkman, and after a few hours became communicative. He said that he had become , tired of leading a single life, and was going down to the Umpqfta to change bis condition. Bradbury appeared to take but little notice of his rpinarks,' but Contrived to keep ipm talking anti! he learned that the youog’lady whom he was going to see had been engaged to:* a chap from California,” butashe, 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 ranch Harkman remarked with much ; assurance: t-? & There is the home of the future Sirs. Harkman L” • Bradbury said nothing, and pretended that he was journeying on to Portland or Salem- Harkiriaii, however, invited him. to call on his fair Pulcinea, and, tqt(chn r ing his horse's rein, they rode together to the house. Adaliza was at the door in a moment, and as Bradbury sprang Kghtjy from the saddle she came to his arhts as only Oregon girls can and 49

come to the arms of their lovers. Harkman looked on with surprise, but at ftfngth found words to exclaim: “ Euchered! what a grouse (Oregonian for simpleton) I was not to know it!” He turned his horse’s head in the direction whence he came, and no grass could Oven sprout beneath his horse’s feet until he yifiaout of sight. On New Year’s day there was a wedding at Boise's ranche, and a few weeks later a horseback journey down to the Willamette, and when the early spring had. Gome, and the skies were clear, a longer ride through the flower-be-sprinkled valleys of Oregon, and over the flt ahd pine clad Siskioon to the neat cabin at Indian Town.