St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-25
The Fate of Cooper Tom"

The Fate of Cooper Tom"
A LIVELY STORY OF WESTERN ROAD
AGENTS.
In '67 Jake Pool was staging the
route from Gallatin to Helena, MOnta
Ma, driving a four-horse coach in sum-
mer, and '.jercyo in winter, sevent,
miles day through the widest region
and over one of the most dangerous
routes in the United States. The cOun-
try through which his trail ran-for it
was little else than a trail-was total
ly uninhabited but for the three stage
stations where horses were changed,
and where were dugOuts, or log huts,
twenty miles apart. The Indians, al
though generally friendly, were liable
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.
One muggy morning in early May,
as Jake hauled up in front of the stage
office and prepared to receive mails,
express and passengers, if there should
be any, for Helena, the Wells Fargo
agent called to him from within.
Throwing the reins over the foot brake
Pool descended from his perch and en-
tered 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"
"All right J" responded Jake. "Pve
carried more before now and carried it
safely"
"But," said the agent, "Dick's sick,
and there's no messenger"
"Ah !" said the driver meditatively ;
then touching the revolver that hung
at his belt, "Ill be messenger and
coachman both to-day"
"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
man from Cross Trees was robbed by
them last night"
Pool whistled long and low, and his
hand fell from his pistol butt. ''COp-
per Tom" was the worst road agent il
Montana, a desperate with both cour.
age and brains.
Don't send the rags"
81 must J" said the expressman, anx-
iOusly. "The order is peremptory, tho
money must go to-day, messenger ol
no messenger; now who will take il
and carry it through 7"
Jake laughed. "I'll take it; that's
part of my business. Throw the SAFE
under the seat and give me your pistol
| NAV want two" And he took the
others revolver from the desk where i
lay and thrust it in his boot top. "Ai
to carrying it through, that's anothe
matter, with those fellows to stop it
But I'll promise you this-if l G,
through the safe shall ~
The agent grasped his hand ant
shook it warmly. The door was thrown
open the driver mounted his seat, th'
iron box was slowed beneath his feet
the single passenger ION old fat woman
to be left at the first statiOn) got in, til,
whip cracked, the horses plunged, tn,
coach lurched heavily forward, ant
amid shower of mud disappeared
down the steep mountain road.
"Let's see," Jake said to himself a
he sped along, "if nothing goes wrOni
and the roads all right, l ought t
make my last change by five O'clocl
and reach the Devils Pass before six
1t will then be broad daylight so l cal
rattle right along. I'll strike Dickson
before seven, certain. Beyond that tn
road is too open into Helena to be dan
gerOus. By JOvew he concluded, hi
heart warming as he struck his heel
against the safe beneath his feet. %
don't see where the agents can stop m
unless-gOOd heavens what if the
try it in the very Pass itself! ha
not thought of that"
The man was silent for a moment an
his face grew grave then, brighten
ing, he shook his reins, lOOsened hi
revOlvers in his boot and belt, and wit
sigh concluded his sOliloquy wit
the remark
"Well, if they should shoot me i
the Pass, twill be about an even thing
If they miss the first shot, I'll run 'eI
down, drive 'em into the canon, G
drop 'em with my pistols. If the
don't miss, why then the swag's theirs
1t was now high noon, and static
two was soon reached, where horse
were again changed, and where Pc,
dined upon ierked bear meat, hot brea
: and black coffee. Strong food, y,
none too strong for the long ride y,
before him. AS he mounted the bo
and prepared to depart, the keeper {
the station drew near.
"There's an old pard down the roa
apiece III want a ride" he said. "H
war here about two hours ago. He
bear watchin'."
And the rough frontiersman tOuche
the pistol butt which Obtruded fro
his open shirt front to emphasize b
2 warning. Jake nodded.
"Thanks, Tom III keep my ey'
open. SO-lOng "
The fresh steeds in harness spraI
E strongly forward, and the empty Goa,
| whirled away. ''it's old Jim, sure
q half whispered Pool to himself, as b
trained eyes searched the road, befo
him. '"The old devil wants to ride
0 that he'll be on hand when COpp
f Tom turns up in the Pass. | see
ALL" The teeth closed with a sna
"Goodn he continued, a moment late
che shall ride.n
: Some five miles were passed, VIII,
O in the shadow of a great pine tn