Pt.11
A Promise/A Favor/A Savior
As the crowd parted and Kitty looked up,…she couldn’t help but take a deep breath… placing her hand over her mouth… Kitty couldn’t take her eyes off …The last person she expected to see …walk through those doors…. Then, as everyone quieted down…. A soft Small voice , came from the center of the room……
Mr. Judge,… Sir,… with warm tears now streaming down her cheeks… Please?…. It was Me!…
The room began to get loud,… Brooker yelled out a warning,… one more word and I will clear this room is that understood? Then, suddenly you could hear a pin drop….Young lady , What was that you say?
It was me Sir!,.. I killed My Poppa’ ,…Not Miss Russell.. Then she looked over at Kitty,…I,..I.
I am so sorry,… he was going to hurt you like he hurt me…he wouldn’t stop……Now let me get this straight… your telling me ,… you shot your own Father? Why don’t you tell me what happened….
Molly looked around the room,… trembling…, suddenly,. Kitty turned,… Judge Brooker Please don’t do this?.. Please don’t do this to her?… not here? She’s just a child. Can’t you…raising his hand and nodding his head…. Alright ,..I’m not sure what is going on here Miss Russell… But alright. I want this court room cleared.. Right now. Young Lady, what’s your name?… Molly Sir… well Molly you come up here with me… as she walked up and the room was cleared,.. Kitty approached her,… Molly Sweetheart, I didn’t…
It’s ok Miss Russell,.. I know.. but you were right. I need to tell someone.. they can’t keep saying these things about you. Miss Russell, did you know about this, Brooker asked. Oh, well that’s complicated Judge . How so? I didn’t know Molly shot her Father… but I do know what I think she is about to tell you. And that is? He added. I think it’s best it come from Molly.
Judge Brooker took Molly and sat at a table alone with him,…then he told her that whenever she was ready
To tell him what happened… to go right ahead. Molly sat biting her lower lip, then looked at the Judge..
Well, Sir,…things were not so good at home,… Poppa’ was always angry,… Ma’ Maura and Me , well we were scared a lot… getting’ lots of whippin’s and then sometimes Poppa’ would take Maura and Me…out to the root cellar,… learn us what a woman’s place was. Hurt some’in awful… Did you Ma’ know about this? Oh Sir Ma’ was scared of poppa ‘ just like us… he whip ma’ too… show ur’ her place he say…
Then when Doctor Adams came out with Miss Russell, and Ma’ was feelin’ poorly… I got Miss Russell there to the barn and asked her fur help? And show her sum of the whippin’ on me. Just couldn’t stand no more…tears were still streaming down her face….. But, I was beggin’ her to promise me she be telling’ no one ..ever! She just couldn’t Sir… then after they left and Poppa’ and Pat Jr. came home from hunting..
Brother Sean, Told Poppa’ they was there.. on our farm,…He was crazy.. like a rabbit dog…he was…
Later that night after the whippin’s and another learnin’ about bein’ a woman… I sneaked away and came in town,.. find Miss Russell…? It hurt so bad and I was scared…and an ol’ woman on the street showed me to go get to her room…. Then when she came in ,.. I told her all bout’ what happened at home… and she took care of me…helped me…then .. Poppa’ came screamin’ at the door… and grabbed his hands around her neck like and was hurtin’ her… she couldn’t git no air…he was callin’ her all kind of bad names…
She help me Sir took care of me… she promised me and kept me and did the favor…like she said…
She not a bad lady…Please?….don’t punish her …you can whip me…it was me who Shot poppa’…
I found her gun,… in the drawer… I told him to stop!…. I shot it and he fell on the floor… so did she ..!
I ran cause ,.. I thought I killed Miss Russell too. You understand ? Miss Russell explained to me that what Poppa did wasn’t right…. Judge Brooker , shook his head.., Molly,… it’s gonna be ok.
Let me talk to these gentlemen here for a minute,… and we’ll settle this whole thing….then winked at her.
Brooker called Matt, Barrister and Breckenridge together, Fella’s , I’m going to dismiss this charge against Miss Russell, after what this Child Molly has just told me.., there’s no Murder here this was definitely
A case of self-defence ., And Matt, if you would,.. I appreciate it if you would keep a close eye on these young girls… and maybe the brothers too. Sure will Judge.
Molly, stood looking at Kitty,…Kitty walked over to her.., Molly you didn’t have to do this… Yes Miss Russell I did. It’s like you said,.. It was wrong. And you were trying to help me,.. I’m sorry I ran. Oh, Sweetheart, ..it’s alright… it’s just that I thought I killed you too. and I was scared. Well, you can see I’m fine. Are you alright?… I’m better now. Smiling at her… good .. Now, maybe you’ll think about letting
My friend Doc check you out? Will you be there too. Of course if you like?…Does your ma’ know you’re here? No, Ma’am, but I’m going home and tell her. That right your going home girl…Pat Jr. said standing behind her… what’cha say to that Judge over there? I told him the truth.. that all …
I told him the awful things Poppa’ did.. And that he was hurtin’ Miss Russell…and that I shot him.
I outt’a whip you good girl? With that Matt , jumped in… and you’ll land in my jail!
If I find out either one of you boy lay a hand on your Ma’ or your sisters…I’ll lock you both up…
You can’t do that,. .they are Kin! Yes he can .., and I’ll see to it you stay there for a long time..
Brooker added. Molly hugged Matt.. Thank You Big Marshal… and Thank You Miss Russell
For helping me…and for the promise and the favor, you could have gone to jail for me…. Your welcome Molly, and that’s alright …it’s over now.. She stood there,… then Hugged Kitty so Tight…
TBC
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