CHAPTER XXI. |
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MOLLIE LILLARD WHALEY. |
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| My name is Mollie Lillard Whaley, | |
| I’m left alone in this wide world; | |
| Papa and mamma are dead, you know, | |
| And I am their only baby girl. | |
| The story is told in this little book, | |
| Of how and why I was left alone, | |
| How papa and mamma died one night, | |
| In our own little cabin home. | |
| How mamma pled for her own dear life, | |
| And for the life of dear papa, as well, | |
| How she pressed me to her aching heart, | |
| As she kissed me a last farewell. | |
| She held me in her arms for a moment, | |
| And then laid me in Aunt Lizzie’s bed, | |
| And the last words she spoke on earth | |
| Were, Sister, cover up your head. | |
| Then she turned and faced the murderers, | |
| Who stood waiting upon the floor; | |
| Two shots rang out in quick succession, | |
| And papa and mamma were then no more. | |
| A deathly silence came over the weird scene, | |
| Aunt Lizzie will never forget the time, | |
| I was made fatherless, motherless and homeless, | |
| By the commission of that awful crime. | |
| They tell me of a fearless officer, | |
| Who ran those criminals down | |
| They made him sheriff of the county, | |
| And his name is now renowned. | |
| They tell me of two detectives, | |
| Who lent a helping hand | |
| To uncover the crimes of criminals, | |
| And break up the White-cap band. | |
| They tell me of the Attorney General | |
| Who made such a gallant fight | |
| To convict those hellish demons, | |
| Because it was just and right. | |
| They tell me of an honorable Judge, | |
| Who now holds court in Sevier, | |
| Of that roving band of White-caps, | |
| They say he has no fear. | |
| They also tell me of another Judge, | |
| Who sits upon a higher throne, | |
| And if I but do his bidding, | |
| He will one day call me home. | |
| They say he is kind to little children, | |
| And will guide these tiny feet, | |
| And deal out justice to the murderers | |
In the death they are doomed to meet. |