By Sarah
Copyright 1999
As he walked into St. Joe he wondered if this town would be different. Ever since he decided to come out west he had been looking for a job that suited him. Sure he had done alot of odd jobs but nothing that he especially liked. He was walking down the street looking all around. it seemed like a prosperous town, he was sure to find something here. He wasn't paying much attention to where he was going and almost ran into a young woman. "Sorry ma'am guess I should have been watching where I was going."
"That's alright no harm done, I'm Anna and you're?"
"Cody, William F. Cody." Cody couldn't help but notice how pretty she was. "Can I help you with your packages?"
"Thank you anyway but my wagon is right here, good day Mr. Cody. It was nice to meet you "
"The pleasure was all mine" and with a tip of his hat he was on his way again. He soon came upon the saloon. "Well if there's a job to be had in this town someone in here would know. Besides I need some fun."
As he walked in the door right away he saw a card game and decided to watch for awhile. Just as the game was getting interesting, alot of yelling came from outside. Cody along with most everyone went to the door. "Help my store was just robbed, he's getting away."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Cody said. He aimed his rifle and shot the robber before the robber got to the edge of town.
"Where'd you learn to shoot like that son?"
Cody turned around to see it was the marshal talking to him. " Just comes natural I guess."
"There's a new outfit starting up called The Pony Express, they could use someone like you."
"What is this Pony Express?"
"They deliver mail across the country on horseback."
"Where would I sign up for this?"
"The Pony Express office is right over there next to the bank."
"Thanks marshal." This just might be the thing for me, he thought to himself.
"Excuse me sir" the clerk looked up to see the buckskin clad boy before him. "The marshal said there were jobs here."
"Sure are I son. Are you an orphan?" Cody nodded his head. "Can you ride?"
"Are you kidding me I was born in the saddle."
"Read this and sign at the bottom."
" I do hereby swear, before the Great and living God, that during my engagement, and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors and Waddell, that I will, under no circumstances, use profane language; that I will drink no intoxicating liquors; that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all of my acts as to win the confidence of my employers. So help me God."
"Here's a bible, and an advance in pay. Show up at the Sweetwater way station and see the stationmaster Teaspoon Hunter."
"There's one problem I don't have a horse."
"Don't worry , Mr. Hunter will see to it you get one, Good luck"
With his rifle, bible and money Cody was off to start what he hoped would be a new and exciting life.
