Cattle Car Bar

This extraordinary book is an expansion of a short story published in the Classical Doorway book of short stories entitled "Cattle Car Bar," which is no longer available. It also contains, and is built upon a vibrant character who begins her adventures as cook aboard a sailing ship named Innocence in 1795. Her story begins in a Classical Doorway book entitled, "Fur Trader Innocence" and ends in this Classical Doorway book. The expansion is the result of a specific request to do so by a dedicated reader, so the authors did so and Cattle Car Bar Revisited is the result.

This warm story of a family, by birth and through choice, takes place in 20th century Chicago during the zenith of the bustling cattle business, and involves a beloved bar owner named Clement Gray. His benevolence and care for all around him is part of what endears him to people from all levels of society, from the hobos who ride the trains to the influential politicians of the times. The other part of his attraction includes the providing of a home for the homeless; financial assistance to those in need; hospital care, as well as, unqualified friendship for all.

When he passes away, under questionable circumstances, his college-age daughter, Jillian, inherits the Cattle Car Bar and all its eccentric staff and unique patrons. Fortunately, she also inherits her father's marvelous characteristics and compelling personality, as well as, his strength of purpose and high moral values. Because of the economic challenges of the times, and the growing influx of drugs and their devastating effects on Chicago's society, Jillian is confronted by a sinister character named Dale Mattings, whose efforts to strong-arm Clement Gray into participating in his drug trade, failed. Re-energized by Clement's death, Mattings embarks on a new effort to force the young owner, Jillian, into acquiescing. An adventure begins. Does Mattings succeed? Read and find out.