The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-30
INTERVALS ADVENTUROUS C0URTSHP:: ESINKERSY Yarn

Dennis Mu,,enix went into the Peace with
HALEY and Ed Peeto and burden the nlghi
Of the big June water on the West End.
The company didn't treat her Just right.
/ was a strong company man. although
I wen out with the boys.
But I say, and I've always said. the COM
pany did not treat Mrs. Mullenix just right.
A widow, and penniless, she bought the
eating-house at McCloud with the few hun
dreds they gave her.
There were five young Mullenixes. and
they Were. every one. star children. from
sinkers. who was foxy. to Kate. who was
not merely fne-she was royal; 20 and
straight, ard true. with a complexion like
sunrise. and hair like a sunset.
Kate kept the cottage going. and Mrs.
Mullenix ruled personally in the eating
house and In the short-order annex.
Any one that has tasted a steak grilled
swell In Chicago or In Denver. and tasted
one broiled plain by Mrs. Mullenix in Nc
Cloud. half a block from the depot, can
easily understand why the boys behaved
well.
AS for her coffee, believe II or not, we
owe most Of our world famous West End
runs not SO much to the Baldwin Locomo-
tive Works nor to Mr.. George Westing-
house. but 10 the coffee drawn by Mrs.
Mary Mullenix.
Mrs. Mullenix's coffee for many years
made the boys hot; what now makes them
hot is that she can't be persuaded to
draw It for anybody except McTerza. and
they claim that's the way he holds the
Yellow Mail with the sos: but all the same
McTerza is fast stuff. coffee or no coffee.
They were none OF them boisterous men.
those Reading engineers. who took our
Sotu altar fIn ofrfLa hut NfrrTorya proc nv
oyster, except that he couldn't be swal-
lowed.
The.fact is, he was difident. owing. may
be. to a hesitation in his speech.
1t was funny. the bit of a halt, but not 80
odd as his disposition, which approached
that Of a grizzly.
He had impudence and Indifference and
quiet-plenty OF each.
1t was pretty generally understood that
In the strike the short-order house was
with us.
Mrs. Mullenix had reason to. feel bitter
toward the company, and 1t became speed
lily known that Mrs. Mullenix's was not a
healthy place for the men who took our
engines; their money was not wanted.
In fact. none Of the new men ever tried
to get service there. except McTerza.
McTerza one morning dropped into the
ohort-order house.
Coffee" said he. He always cut things
short because he was afraid he would get
hung up between stations in remarks.
Kate was looking after things that day
at tho restaurant. and she was alone.
b looked at McTerza %chillingly.
Kate had more than enough instinct to tell
Reading man from the Brotherhood type.
She turned in silence and she poured a
min NJ rnfao hut Prom, Tho ptct& <o~lr Ia
was the grossest tndignity that could be
perpetrated on a man in the short-order
management.
She set 1t with little of civility and less
Of sugar before McTerza. and pushing her
gtrdle down, coldly walked front, half
perched on a stool. and looked l~istlessly out
Of the window.
s"Cooi," ventured McTerza, as he stirred a
lump Of sugar hopefully into his purchase.
Kate made 10 comment on the observa-
ton.
u"Could I have a little c-c-condensed milk
Inquired McTerza presently.
This so-sc-cream looks pretty rich," he
.Xdded, stirring thoughtfully - he spoke
at the pot Of mustard, which was the only
liquid In sight.
Kate Mulienix glared CONTEMPORARY at
him, but she passed OUT a jug Of cream
and It was cream
From the defiance on her face as she
Resumed her attitude, she appeared to ex-
pect q protest about the cold coffee.
None came.
McTerxa drank the stuff very slowly.
blowing 1t carefully the while. a. II it
swas burning him up. It vexed Kate.
How much?" asked McTerza. humbly, as
do swallowed the last drop before it froze
~ fnA &>00n and Aahod Pnr 1t-> -
square his account.
q twenty-five cents."
He started slightly. but reached again
thto his pocket, and. without a word. pro-
duced a quarter.
Kate swept 1t into the drawer with the
royal indifference Of a circus faker and re-
gaumed her stool.
o "C-c-could L get another c-c-cupr' asked
McTerza, patiently.
1t o like = defiance. However, she
boldly poured a second cup Of the cold
Coffee. M McTerza tackled II.
After an interval Of silence, he spoke
again.
3 d you sell tickets on c-coffee herer'
She looked At him with q questioning In
science.
E"T mean c-could q fellow buy a chance
ror get into q rafde-on the h-h-h-hot tank?'
'tsked McTerza, throwing a sad glance on
the live coffee urn. which steamed cozily
beside its silent companion.
THAT tank il empty snapped Kate Null
,Senax. recklesely. for. in spite Of herself,
tshe was getting confused.
III It H." suggested McTerza. peertng
qGraveiy underneath at the jet Of gas that
ss6lazed merxily. you ought to draw your
ss4rs; you're liable to b-b-burn your
sc-c-orown-sheet."
Whats the matter?" demanded Kate
sangrny: sfs you coffee cold?"
'Oh, no" he responded. shaking his head
sund waiting for the surprising disclaimer
lsfe sink In. Not exactly cold. It's just
dad"
I'VE don't ssrvs Reading men here" re-
tortsd KatA defantly.
esf"0h. yes. you DO" responded McTerza,
sHriShtening at once. you serve them like
ss~tt-tramps"
ssThen after . pause:
-A-could I get q cigar7"
yes"
How much il that kind?'%
Fifty cents!" snapped Kate, CHANGING
into the street for some friendly striker to
appear.
II want a good one"
That's q good one"
Fifty cents q b-b-box2'
Fifty cents apiece"
'f3iye me a small one, please"
He put down a dollar bill as he took the
cigar.