Chapter 7
The wedding had been had been swift…one day the Marshal was still single and the next he was a married man. Sarah and Ducky had kept the kids the first night so that the happy couple could consummate their wedding night without interruption and even now were in the process of looking for a larger home for them all to live in. The house that Jethro had originally had was just too small for growing children and his wife and himself. He sold it to his deputy Tim McGee; since it was located close to the Marshal's office it was ideal for a bachelor.
The place they were looking at now had three bedrooms, one for each of the children and of course for the married couple. The kitchen was larger as was the sitting room and there was even an indoor toilet in the back of the structure. It was located within walking distance of the school, church and majority of the shops in town. All in all it was just what they were looking for. The property also had a combination stable and wood shed, for Gibbs who enjoyed working with his hands whenever he had a chance. The price was nice and they quickly signed the papers making the little homestead theirs.
With the help of the Mallards and his deputy the Gibbs' quickly moved in and within a few days were getting used to their new home. The children were enrolled in school, something that took a little getting used to. While they looked forward to making friends and learning they didn't especially like getting up so early to go. And Tony didn't like the new teacher, Mr. Morrow, who was a little too quick with the use of the hickory stick for Tony's liking. It wasn't that Mr. Morrow was mean or cruel, he was a fair minded individual he just didn't care some of Tony's jokes and wasn't above to making an example to Tony's bottom on why they weren't appropriate in school.
It as around a month later that Marshal Gibbs learned about Tony's favorite pastime. He happened by the school to surprise Tony and Abby and he noticed his daughter coming out but not his son. "Abby, where is Tony?"
Abby ran to her father and said, "Mr. Morrow is having a discussion with him Pa; he'll be out in a minute."
"A discussion, Abs? Is it the type of discussion that has been causing Tony to squirm whenever he sits down?"
Abby just nodded, she didn't want to get Tony in any more trouble but this had been going on for some time; he should have learned not to do the type of things that Mr. Morrow disapproved of.
"Abby go on home, your mother has been making cookies and I'm sure she wouldn't mind you having some…go I'll see to Tony; and don't tell Tony that I know about these discussions," ordered Gibbs as he waited for Tony to leave the school.
He watched as Tony was rushed out, whipping his tears and rubbing his bottom. He stepped behind a tree so his son wouldn't see him and walked into school to talk with his teacher.
Not knowing about the doom he was about to experience at his father's hand Tony ran home getting there in time to join Abby with a glass of milk and a plate full of cookies. He was still talking with Jenny telling her how his day had gone when Gibbs walked in.
"Pa," greeted his children as Gibbs walked in. Abby looked her father in the eye but said nothing about their secret hoping that it wouldn't be bad for her brother.
"You're home early today, dear," remarked Jenny as he gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Yeah, well I have a surprise for Abby and Tony…they are waiting for you outside," replied Gibbs.
"A surprise for us?" squealed Tony and Abby as they rushed outside to see two ponies tied to the rail next to their father's horse. They were pintos, one with brown markings and the other with black.
Gibbs and Jenny walked out together, arm in arm to watch their children's delight. "They are for all of the good grades that you have been getting and they way you two have knuckled down and done whatever we have told you without complaint," explained Jenny with a smile.
"Your father will have to teach you how to ride but you should have them since most kids your age have been riding since they were quite young…they are a necessity in the west."
"Wow…what are their names?" asked Tony.
"They're your ponies…you name them," replied Gibbs.
"Which one is mine, Pa?" asked Abby.
"Which one do you want, Abs?"
"The black and white one."
"Then if Tony doesn't mind, he's yours," replied Gibbs.
"I don't care Abs, if you want that one it is okay with me," replied Tony.
Abby untied the reins and pulled her pony to her, stroking his forehead when Gibbs gave her an apple. "Give it to him Abby, horses and ponies love apples…it will show him that you care," as he also gave one to Tony and gave the last one to his horse.
While the children were getting acquainted with their ponies Gibbs pulled Jenny aside to tell her what he had learned about Tony. "Mr. Morrow had nothing but good things to say about our children. Both are quick learners and have made some good friends but Tony is prone to joking during class causing problems while others are trying to learn. Mr. Morrow thinks that he is bored in class; that what he is learning isn't occupying his time. Mr. Morrow is going to move him up a grade in hopes that he will be too busy to make with the jokes and I'm going to implement a practice that my father used on me. If he gets punished in school, no matter what the reason he will get a spanking at home. I'm sure that after a day or two of double spankings he will learn to behave at school."
"How will you know if he's been punished at school," asked Jenny, "I'm sure that he's not going to volunteer that information?"
"Nope, but his body will…don't worry I will know and Tony will learn…I did," Gibbs assured his wife.
"Jethro did Tony get in trouble today?"
"Yep…and to answer your un asked question, yes, I'm going to spank Tony after we put the ponies up," he confirmed as he approached the kids.
"Abby, Tony it is time to put the ponies up. Come with me and I'll show you how to groom them," he said as he led the way to the stables. He showed them where the brushes were and how to brush the ponies and how to clean up and feed and water them. "Tony until your sister gets stronger I expect you to do the watering and to muck out their stables."
"Sure, Pa…I don't mind."
"Tomorrow I'll give you two your first lesson in riding but for now I think that you have learned enough…go on in Abby, Tony I need to talk to you," requested Gibbs as he gave Abby a hug .
"See you later Tony," she said as she skipped home.
Gibbs waited until Abby had entered the house before he turned to face his son. "Tony I had a talk with Mr. Morrow this afternoon. He had nothing but good things to say about you and your sister on your school work…but we think that you aren't getting stimulated enough so starting Monday you will be moved up a grade and will be placed in the sixth grade. I have high hopes that you will excel in that grade," paused Gibbs as he watched Tony's expression.
Tony had schooled his expression not to let on that he got in trouble today. "That's great news, Pa. The fifth grade wasn't holding my attention enough; I always finished ahead of the others," he explained carefully.
"And when you finished ahead of the others you got in trouble by joking around and at the expense of others? Yeah, that I know too, son; that's
one of the clues that Mr. Morrow had that you need to go up a grade."
"You know? How? I know Abby didn't tell you?" asked Tony.
"No Abby didn't tell me even when I asked; all she would say that Mr. Morrow was having a discussion with you. I talked with Mr. Morrow after school today when I observed your tears and butt rubbing."
"Oh!"
"Tony, you aren't the only boy to get in trouble in this manner; I had the same problem that you have…too much time on my hands after lessons and I liked to play around, too. My father implemented a way that soon put a stop to myshenanigans during school and I'm going to use it on you beginning now," explained Gibbs firmly.
"What?" asked Tony as he began to get a sinking sensation?
"For every time you get in trouble at school that result in you being punished I will be giving you a spanking once I get home. It will be a bare bottom over the knee spanking and I won't stop until I feel that you are truly repentant," explained Gibbs as he grabbed Tony by the arm and pulled him towards the only chair in the place.
"Drop your pants and place yourself over my lap," he ordered.
Tony argued "It isn't fair Pa, I didn't know about this condition when I misbehaved today…I don't think that it is fair for you to punish me again when I didn't know."
Gibbs paused to consider his son's request, "that may be true son, but that doesn't get you out of this spanking. As your father it is my right to punish you as I see fit and after talking with Mr. Morrow today and learning that you have been doing this mischief for some time. It seems that Mr. Morrows' lickings haven't been working then it is time that you feel just how hard my hand is…now drop your pants!"
"But my bottom still hurts Pa…I promise I won't do it again, can't you just let it slide this time," Tony continued to argue.
"Nope," and getting tired of Tony's disobedience quickly got up and yanked Tony over to him. He made short work of baring his son's bottom and soon had him shouting and yelling in pain as he brought his hand down over and over on his son's already sore bottom. He kept up the speed and harshness until he had painted Tony's bottom a bright red from waist to knee. He didn't stop until Tony had sobbed his repentance. It was when he heard that Gibbs stopped at once and pulled his son in an all forgiving hug.
