The Scarlet Hussy, Part I

Miriam O’Flynn worked as a fancy lady, That was not what she had once planned to be. Orphaned in a crash, at the young age of nine She learned to do what she must to survive. She plied her wanton trade at Jacob McClors, A saloon owned by a man fond of whores, And wore her red hair all pined up and fussy, So the townsfolk nick-named her: The Scarlet Hussy. The cared not for her, they called her perverse, Turned their nick-name from a joke to a curse. And even the husbands, with whom she had lain, Pointed and told all their kids,”Stay away!” And Jacob McClors often took his pleasure, He worked his girls hard, no time for leisure. And if his liquor and whores weren’t enough, Word is he was thieving, and stealing quite much. Only one man in town had not come to her Rancher Adam Kline, who lived at the curve Of the fast, rocky river outside of the town, On a plot of range-land, he had settled down. She’d see him now and then, buying supplies, And imaged she saw non-judgmental eyes But she supposed that she was just fantasizing On the fact that good Kline always gave her a grin. But McClorshad ambition, and grew in reknown, And soon had the run of the whole dang town. When the Marshall died strangely, one winter night They all knew McClors did it, and was ready to fight With any who challenged, so the mayor backed away And the good people just tried to keep clear of the fray McClors, he grew crueler, avoiding the kiss Taking his pleasure on his girls with both fists. On day Miriam fled, battered and bruised And the good rancher Kline, she quickly pursued. She found him alone, working his small herd, And he saw the young woman, desperate and injured.... CONTINUES IN PART II.