Back in 1973, Donn’s Depot had just opened. In the beginning it was called McNeil Depot, as the building had in an earlier life been the Rail Depot at McNeil, north of Austin. It was located at the northwest corner of West 5th and West Lynn Street in Austin.

We were installing a new wastewater line along 5th Street. It tee’d off and went up West Lynn to the north and down an easement to the south. In fact it actually went through an existing railroad tunnel, which part of our contract was to put our line in and then brick up the tunnel.

My business partner, at the time, was a small guy and a funny practical joker by the name of Dink McDuff. My wife and I were newly married, and Dink knew how dedicated I was to my marriage.

There was a cute little gal that worked at McNeil Depot. Dink was a big time womanizer and had women falling all over him. Dink didn’t drink at all but he’d hang out in the bar and drink coffee.

He set it up to where he got this girl that worked there to come out along the ditch line and make passes at me. I was flattered that this pretty girl kept trying to “date me”. I was having none of it.

Come to find out there had been a wager between she and Dink, that she could get any man she wanted.

Dink knew his money was safe and he won the bet.

She really was a cutie.