Suppose no cop came at the end. What would Soapy’s life be like next winter?

If no cop came at the end, Soapy’s life would have changed completely. Soapy resolved to find work for himself and earn his living. So we can suppose that in the next winter, he would have been working tirelessly on any small job. He would have got a small house for himself. He would have decent clothes to wear and decent food to eat. He would become a happy and satisfied man.