Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-09-22
CHE Story Teller*
THE STAGE.DRlvER'S STORY.

widest region aud over one of the most dan
gerous routes in the United States. The
country through which his trail ran-for ii
was little else than trail-was totally unin
habited, but for the three stage stations where
horses were changed, and which were dug
outs, or log huts, twenty miles apart. The
Indians, though generally friendly, were liza
BILE to become enemies at moments warn
ing road agents and outlaws were thicker
upon the Gallatin route than any other north
Of the Union Pacific railroad, and the route
itself ran through gullies and cahons, and
along the verge Of dizzy precipices, as though
originally laid out by mountain sheep. Not,
withstanding all this, Jake was successful
driver, made better time, lost fewer mails and
express safes, and ran his coach at smaller
expense to the company than any other man
in their employ. But when misfortune did
overtake him, it was no light hand that the
genius of evil laid upon him, which the fol-
lowing adventure proves
One muggy morning in early May, as Jake
hauled up in front of the stage Office and pre-
pared to receive mails, express and messenger,
and passengers, if any there should be for
Helena. the Wells-Fargo agent called to him
from within Throwing the reins 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 half whisper
There's fifteen thousand in currency in
the safe to take over to day."
Gall right p' responded Jake. "Ive car
ried more before now, and carried it safely"
But" said the agent, drawing still nearer,
"Dck's sick, and there's no messenger"
"Ah !" said the driver, meditatively then,
touching the revolver which hung at his belt !:
"I'll be messenger and coachman both then"
"But," still continued the other, "there's
one thing more" and he leaned 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
by them last night"
Pool whistled long and low, and his hand
fell from his pistol.butt Copper Tom" was
the worst road-agent in Montana-a despera-
do, with both courage and brains.
"Don't send the rags"
81 must !" said the expressman, anxlously.
"The order is perenptory the money must
20 to-day, messenger or no messenger. NOW,
will you take it and carry it through|
Jake laughed.
"Ill take it; that's part of my business.
Throw the safe under the seat and give me
your pistol may want two" And ne took
the Others revolver from the desk where 1t
lay and thrust it into his boot.top. GAS to
carving it through, that's another matter,
with those fellows to stop it. But Ill prom.
ise you this-if I 60 through the safe shall J!
The agent grasped his hand and shook 1t
warmly. The door was thrown open, the
driver mounted his seat, the iron box was
slowed beneath his feet, the single passenger
Gan old woman, to be left at the first statlon)
got in, the whip cracked, the horses plunged,
the coach lurched heavily forward, and amid
a shower of mud, disappeared down the steep
mountain road.
Although it was May, the morning was
cold, and it was not until the sun had climbed
we'll up the eastern sky that the chill thawed
out of the air, and by that hour Pool was
more than twenty miles upon his journey,
with fresh horses in the traces and an empty
coach behind him. He began to brighten
with the sun.
"After I get through the Devils Pass" he
said to himself, Cooper Tom or any other
man may whistle for me, for from that to
Dickinson's is as handsome road as ever
horse struck foot upon, and whoever tries to
stop me there unless he shoots first, will 60
under his leaders feet. / intend to make
that little seven miles in just twenty.eight
minutes without brakes"
And he gathered his reins with trmer
hand, as if already whirling at that mad pace
down the mountain side.
Lets see," he continued, eff nothing goes
wrong, and the roads all right, ought to
make my last change by o'clock and reach
the Pass before g. 1t will then be broad day
light, so can rattle right along, and then,
after the spin down the 'causeway,' I'll strike
Dickson's before seven, certain. Beyond that
the road is too open and too much travelled
into Helena to be dangerous. BY Jove y he
concluded, his heart warming as he struck his
heels against the safe beneath the seat. 81
don't see where the agents can stop me, un-
less-Good heavens what if they try it in
the very Pass itself? l had not thought of
that !"
The man was silent for moment, and his
face grew grave; then, frightening, he shook
his rens, loosened his revolvers in his boot
and belt, and, with sigh, concluded his solil-
oquy with the remark:
"Well, if they should meet me in the Pass,
twill be about an even thing. If they miss
the first shot, I'll run EN- down, drive 'em into
the canon, or drop 'em with my pistols. If
they don't miss, why then the swag's theirs !"
1t was now high noon, and soon station two
was reached, where horses were again changed
and where Pool dined on jerked bear. meat,
hot bread and black coffee Strong food, but
none too strong for the long ride yet before
him.
As he mounted the box and prepared to de-
part the keeper of the station slipped from
his dug out and drew near.
"There's an old pard down the road apiece
III want ride. He war here about two hours
ago. He'll bear watchin'."
And the rough frontiersman touched the
pistol-butt which protruded from his open
shirt-front, to emphasize his warning.
Jake nodded.
Thanks, Tom! I'll keep my eyes open.
Solong!"
The fresh steeds in harness sprang strongly
forward and the empty coach whirled away.
"It's old Jim, sure" half whispered Pool
to himself, as his trained eye searched the
winding road before him. "The old scamp
wants to ride so that he'll be on hand when
Copper Tom turns up in the Pass. l see 1t
The teeth closed with snap.
"Goodr he continued, moment later.
"He shall ride"
tlo