The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-04-11
MULCAHY DISMISSED.


employee named Mulcahy He had been with
them eight years and had always proved
faithful and willing. No matter what had
to be done Mulcahy was ready to do it..
When on rare occasions customer got
noisy or obstreperous it needed, as rule,
but a word from Mucahy to settle matters.
Ii force was necessary Mulcahy was always
there with the goods" His brawny arms
and his expert knowledge of boxing came
into instant play.
Outside of his duties at the office Null
cahy had earned a wide reputation as a
prize fighter. To ''the fancy" he was best
known as The Stock Yards Terror" He
had am unbroken record of q victories in
the ring and the fighters dope book did
not show that he had ever been knocked
out.
Physically Mulcahy is almost as broad as
he is tall. He stands five feet ten inches
IN his socks. His voice is deep and hoarse
and he has way of emphasizing his remarks
with sweeping gestures of his big red fists.
In manner he is gruff and somewhat noisy
Both members of the firm of Stein & Son
are little, dyspeptic men, which perhaps
somewhat accounts for the fascination
which the burlN Mulcahy exercised over
them.
There came time when business grew
bad with the firm of Stein & Son. Competi-
ton in their line was particularly hot and
one of their rivals hired away their two
best travelling men. Stein & Son redoubled
their efforts, but luck was against them.
They We're forced to curtail and cut down
expenses.
Month by month went by without any
sign of improvement. For weeks both
members of the firm nursed an awful
thought in silence. There remained only
one thing to be done. Finally one evening
after everybody else had gone home, the
father, in desperation, spoke.
AL, he said to the junior member of the
firm, speaking in hushed whisper, "we'll
have to let Mulcahy CO."
The son listened in silence. and each man
looked at the other. They feared the ven
geance of Mulcahy when he was notified
that his services were no longer required.
The question in the mind of each was as to
who should brave the coming wrath and
discharge the prize fighter.
"A, said the father finally with the air
of a martyr, Ill tell him on Saturday."
All right, pa said the younger man.
III stay right here in the office, and if he
breaks loose I'll help you OUT
Saturday came. Stein, Jr., was hidden in
the closet opening off the office. He held in
his hand a piece of gaspipe to be used in
case of an emergency. Nulcahy came in
to get his pay envelope.
"Howdy, Mr. STEM roared Mucahy, in
his deepest bass voice. How you feelin'
to-day? I'm fghtin' cock, myself. Got
a fight on fer tonight, too and he smote
the desk with his mighty fist 'sI'n Jest
off Il
him"
Little Mr. Stein looked up hesitatingly.
He cleared his throat as if to begin his I'M
pleasant message. But just then Mulcahy
went on.
He did me dirt month or two ago, an
Tn jest layin fer him. When | git through
with him he'll have to be introduced to him
self. Again the big fist came down with a
bang on the desk.
Mr.. Stein handed over the pay envelope
without word Of discharge NIulcahy took
1t and stalked out of the Office.
Young Mr.. Stein bobbed out of the closet
and smiled at his father
Never mind" he said. ''Ill let him go
next Saturday.
But several Saturdays went by before the
next move was made. Business grew worse,
and at last the senior member of the firm
called his son attention to the promise he
had made. Mr. Stein, Jr., went cut at noon
the next Saturday and took a big drink of
whisky as a bracer. He was determined
this time to do or die.
Two hours later Mulcahy came roaring
into the office for his pay envelope.
II catches guy out in the alley just
now" he said, 'tryn' to pinch box of
cigars. What | did to him was a plenty
l jest about broke him in two, and don't
guess he'll try that trick again"
Then Mulcahy gave graphic illustration
of the way he had handled the thief. All
OF young Mr.. Stems courage evaporated in
stantly as he looked at the play of Mulcahy's
great muscles. He handed over Mulcahy's
pay envelope in silence, too muca terrified
to say word.
As NIulcahy left the Office old Mr.. Stein
slipped out of the closet and the two mem
bers of the firm looked at each other.
Father said the younger man, "I'll
get couple of big policemen over here next
Saturday and We'll discharge him then.
Well hide the policemen in the closet and
do the job together"
BY way of making sure of sufficient pro-
lection young Mr. Stein had three large po-
licemen come over to the office during the
noon nouf ana carefully concealed them IN
closets and behind curtains. Then he and
his father waited in fear and trembling for
the coming of Mulcahy. Presently Null
cahy came.
Mulcahy," began the younger Stein,
I'm sorry to have to-that is-you know
business has been poor-and we've-Pm sor-
ry-so is father. We've got to-"
What you tryin' to git at?" growled Null
cahy. Are YOU goin' to can me-"
We've got to let you &c" broke out Mr..
Stein, desperately, at the same time stamp
ing on the floor as signal to the police
men to draw their clubs. He had instructed
them not to use their revolvers unless it
should prove absolutely necessary
Got to let me go, eh!" said Mulcahy,
deep in his throat. Young Mr. Stein sur
reptitiously grasped heavy ink bottle
'Well, that's all right. | been expectin it
fer three months. Thank you for keepin'
: me on this long. SO long! Good luck to you
all"
Mulcahy stretched out big red hand in
friendly greeting. Young Mr.. Stein, star
tied at the turn things had taken, dropped
the inkstand he had been clutching and
strucL hands with tta JriShm,n hyul.,b,