Daily Republican., 1881-08-26
A AhTAGEDRIvER,s STORY.


tana, driving four.hors coach in sum
mer, and ''jerky" in winter, Svent
miles day through the widest regio,
and over one cf the most dangerou
routes in the UniTnd States. The coun
try through which" this trail ran--for
was little less than trail-was total
uninhabited. But forthe three stag
stations, where horses were changed
and which were dugs out, or log huts
twenty miles apart. The Indians, al
though generally friendly, we've liabl
to become enemies at a moments warn
ing, road-agents and outlaws wer
thicker upon the Gallatin route THAI
any other north of the Union Pacih
Railroad, and the route itself raj
through precipices, as though origin
ally laid out by mountain sheep. Not
withstanding all this, Jake was sue
cesstul driver, made better time, los
fewer mails and express safes, and ra,
his coach ut a smaller expense 70 the
company, than any other man in thei,
employ. But when misfortune did
overtake him, it was,not light hand
that the genius Of evil laid upon him
which the following adventure proves
One mnggy moraing, in early May,as
Jake hauled up in front of the stage
office, and prepared to receive mails, ,ex.
press and messenger, and passengers,
it any there should be for Helena. the
Wells Fargo agent called to him from
within. Throwing the rens over the
foot brake, Pool descended from his
perch and entered the Office.
The agent shut the door behind him
then drawing near he said, in a halt
whisper:
"There's fifteen thousand dollars in
currency in the safe, to take over to.
day"
"4tll right" responded Jake. 'Ive
carried more before now, and carried it
safely
"But", said the agent, drawing still
nearer, "Dick's sick and there's no
messenger.
"Ah," said the driver, mclitatively;
then, touching the revolver which hung
at his belt: "I'Il be messenger and
coachman both then"
But" still continued tho other,
"there's one thing more," and he lean
ed forward so that his lips touched his
companions ear. Cooper Tom and
his pal, old jim, are on the road, A
man from Cross Trees was robbed last
night"
Pool whistled long and low, and his
hand fell from his pistol butt. Cooper
Tom" was the worst road-agent in Mon
tana-a desperate, with both courage
and brains.
'Don't send the rags
81 m"st,' said the expressman, anxi-
ousy. "rhe order is peremrtory; the
luoL"y must 90 to-day, messenger or no
Now, will you take it and
carry it through?"
Jake laughed.
"I'll take it; that's part of my busi-
ness. Throw the safe under the seat
lnd give me your pistol, may want
iwo shooters And!hc took,the other.
revoIvtr from the desk where lay and
hrust it into his boot-top. Gas to
it through, that's another mat.
'er, with those fellows to stop it. But
III promise you this-if 20 through,
he safe Shal.'
This agent grasped his hand and
shook il warmly. The door was thrown
,pen, the driver mounted his seat, the
ron box was slowed beneath his feet,
he single passenger Can Old woman, to
be lefv at the first statjon) got in, the
whip cracked, the horses plunged, the
'oach lurched heavily forward, and
lmid a shower of mud, disappeared
lown the steep mountain road.
Although it was May, the morning
vas cold, and it was not until the sun
,al climbed well up the eastern sky
hat the chill lhawed out of the air,
md by that hour Pool was more than
wenty miles upon his journey, with
resh horses il their traces, and an
mptv coach behind him. He began to
righten with the sun.
"After | got through the Devils
'ass," said he to himself, Cooper
om or any other man may whistle
,r me, :or from that to Dicksons $ is as
audsome a road as ever u horse struck |
Dot upon, and whoever tries to stop
le there, unless he shoots first, will
0 under the leaders feet. l intend to
lake that little seven miles in just
wenty eight minutes without brakes !"
Aud ha gathered his reins with a
rmer hand, as ii already whirling at
rat mad pace down the mountain
de.
"L-t's see" he continued, "If nothing
oes wrong and the roads all right,
nght to make my last change by five
clock and reach the Pass before six.
t will then be broad daylight, 80 can
attic right along, and then, after the
Dindown the 'causaway', I'll strike
'ickson's before seven, certain. Be-
ond that the road is too open AMI too
luch travelled into Helena to be dan
prous. BY Jove! he concluded, his
cart warming as he struck his heel
gainst the safe beneath the seat, 81
ont see where The agents can stop me,
nless--iiood Heavens. what if they
y it in the very Pass itself? | had not
lought Of that"
The man was silent for moment,
ld his face grave; then, brig htenins,
g shook his reins, loosened his revol-
ars in boo5 and belt, and, with a sigh,
,nclnded his soliloquy with a remark.
"Well, it they should meet me in tie
ass. twill be about an even thing. If
icy miss their first shot, I'll run 'em
,wn, drive 'em into the canyon, or
'op 'em with my pistols It.they don't
iss, why then the swags theirs"
1t was now high noon, and soon sta
III two was reached, where horses
ere again changed, ard where P oil
ned upon jerked bear meat, hot bread
I'd black coffee. Strong loOd, but none !
o strong for the one ride yet before
n.
AS he mounted the box AMI prepared
de., the keeper OF .- station slip
d from his dug out az" 'roM near.
"There's an Old pard tr.n the road
itcr, III want ride. lie war here
out two hours ago. li@'.i bear watch I
and the rough frontiersmn. t,uch",.
q pistol-but which pro!u from
) ol,". shirt front to emphasize his
.rning.
J tht nodded. Il
In