Brown Gargle by Sandra Cox

    One of the most popular drinks of the era was coffee, also referred to as brown gargle. Coffee—or brown gargle—was every bit as popular as whiskey in the Old West. Maybe even more so.

    In 1863, Sharps Rifles had even manufactured a few trial carbines with a coffee grinder that had a removable handle built into the stock. (This may have been used for grinding more than just coffee.)

    Arbuckles was considered the original cowboy coffee. Out on the trail, whether it was rounding up cattle or horse thieves, the cowboy needed that extra jolt of caffeine and a strong, aromatic cup of coffee provided it.

    The Arbuckle brothers were the first to sell their roasted beans in one-pound bags instead of selling it green where the cowboys on the range would have to roast the beans in a skillet over an open fire. As an enticement, peppermint sticks were often included with the package.

    On the trail drives the cooks kept the coffee flowing. If available water was too acidic, they would break an egg and add it to the pot. Some cooks added salt to reduce the bitterness. But whether acidic, with salt or without, Westeners loved their coffee. And no Westerner more than Keeper Tyree.
    Previously posted on Cowboy Kisses.

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Blurb
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    Keeper Tyree has taken the job of sheriff of El Dorado. Everything is going well. He’s tamed the town and doesn’t have to knock more than a few heads together a day, and has no more than one or two occupants in the calaboose at a time. Then a stranger comes to town. A stranger bent on vengeance and the man he wants to bring down is Keeper.

Excerpt
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    A fist shot out of the dark.
    “What the hell, Cathleen?” Keeper went reeling back, rubbing his jaw.
    “I can smell cheap perfume on you a mile away.” She lit a kerosene lamp on the bedside table and held it up.  And looked, Keeper thought, like an avenging angel. Dadgum but she was a beauty. Those eyes sparking fire always got his juices rolling.
    “Now, honey—”
    “And there’s red lip-stain on your collar. It’s Dora’s isn’t it? That woman is like a bitch in heat.”
    Never explain. Never apologize. Those were words he lived by.
    Until he tied the knot. It just didn’t work when you had a passionate, hot-tempered bride.
    She took a step forward. 
    He managed not to take a step back.
    The door creaked.
    A blue-eyed tousle-haired little beauty, that looked so much like her momma it made his heart hurt, stood in the doorway. A one-eyed, stuffed bear under her arm. On her finger she wore a ring that was a replica of her momma’s wedding ring. He’d given it to Allie the day he wed Cathleen to make sure she knew he had room in his heart for both of them.
    He squatted down and held out his arms.
    She ran into them.
    “What are you doing up, Allie Cat?” He pushed to his feet, cradling her, soaking in the scent of soap and little girl.
    “I heard Momma yelling at you.”
    “Come to protect me, did you?”
    She nodded and said in a loud whisper, “Momma can be fearsome when she’s mad.”

Buy Link
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https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Cox/e/B002BM3AKC

Bio
 
    Sandra, who writes as both S. Cox and Sandra Cox, is an animal lover and avid gardener. She spent a number of years in the Midwest chasing down good Southern BBQ. By the time she moved to North Carolina where Southern BBQ is practically a staple, she’d become a vegetarian.
    She and her husband are ruled by four cats. Sadly, their dog recently crossed the rainbow bridge. An award-winning author, her stories consist of all things Western and more.

Social Media
 
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