To tell you the truth I'm still in search of this eleusive mouse myself. Never saw one in the 15 years I've been doing this, not even in a customers house. I first heard of it here. I'm sure if I asked my uncle about it he would know exactly what you were talking about. Always used wood and always will but I wouldn't mind seeing what the hoopla is about.
I use wood pellets to get the coal burning.
You could take a 16 oz soda cup full of pellets or wood chips and pour melted wax over the wood just enough to coat the pellets or wood chips.
A cheap votive candle would work as well.
Me I just use my torch to light the pellets and they in turn light the coal.
Someone from Phillipsburg Pa is selling something similar to a coal mouse on Ebay. It's called a Jesse stoker starter. Do a search for coal stoves on ebay and you'll see them.