A Modern Country Girl

Book excerpt: MaryLou Williams began her life as an abused child before her grandmother, Lou Hardin Harris, stepped in and sought and obtained full custody of her. This happened after Marylou was brutally beaten by her mother’s drunk, abusive third alcoholic husband. Lou found the husband passed out on the couch in their cheap apartment, so she woke him up and beat him half to death for abusing her granddaughter. Lou obtained full custody of MaryLou two months before her 6th birthday. Unfortunately, all of MaryLou’s problems were not solved by Lou receiving full custody. The gossip mill in the little town of Galway, championed by a bank president’s socialite wife, made life miserable for MaryLou. Almost everyone ostracized her and ruined her reputation in the little town. Her mother’s lifestyle precipitated this attitude toward MaryLou. Fortunately for MaryLou, her grandfather was an intelligent farmer and rancher who took MaryLou under his wing. He taught her all the ins and outs of farming and ranching, preparing her to become successful herself before he was kicked in the head by an irate Angus bull. This all occurred just before MaryLou’s 15th birthday. Fortunately for MaryLou, her grandfather could impart his Christian faith to MaryLou before his accident. Much of that was also imparted to her grandmother, Lou Hardin Harris Lou was a direct descendent of the infamous outlaw, John Wesley Hardin and still harbored a few of John Wesley’s traits, mainly his explosive temper. Marylou proved that all is well that ends well.