Parent Teacher Conference

Ben Cartwright arrived home late Sunday evening, exhausted from a very demanding week. Little Joe was overjoyed that Pa would arrive past his bedtime, so there wouldn't be a lot of time for catch up discussion about what had been going on in his absence. Joe heard Pa ride in and put up his horse, then listened for his boots on the porch as he came in the front door. He waited a few minutes, to let Pa put his stuff down, put his feet up, and pour his typical cup of coffee after a long ride.

Joe crept out of bed, hearing Hoss and Pa's voices downstairs, deciding the time was right. Quick as a fox, he dashed down the stairs and headed straight for Pa in his big red chair.

Wearing a big smile on his face, he put his hand up to forestall the lecture on being out of bed, and said, "I know, Pa... I've gone to bed already, and I'm heading right back. But I've missed you all week, and I just wanted to give you a hug before I go back to sleep." So saying, good as his word, he gave Ben a big hug as his father just folded the boy into his arms.

"I've missed you, too, Scamp. You been staying out of trouble? Did you give Hoss a hard time?" he laughed, not really wanting a blow by blow report, but just checking generally.

"I been good as gold all week, Pa. Chores 'n all! But I'm just glad yer home. I've been good. I'm still being good, so I'll just head back to bed. But I wanted a hug when I heard you come in." Joe was really happy to see him back.

"Well I'm glad you did, son. You said your prayers already?" Ben asked, seeing his son nod his head. "All right then, you head back up to bed, and I'll come by in a few minutes to tuck you in. I've missed you both while I was away."

"OK, Pa. G'Night. Night, Hoss!" Joe called, as he scampered back up the stairs to his room. All felt right with the world again, once Pa was home. It was OK when he was away on business. It wasn't like Joe couldn't sleep or anything. But... the house just didn't feel right without Pa at home. He'd sleep the more soundly tonight.

Watching the boy head into his room, Hoss said, "He really has been good all week. Did his schoolwork, chores, helped out. Spent a little time after school with Billy and his pa a couple times, but still got all his work done and right on time for meals. I ain't got no complaints."

"That's good to hear, Hoss. Thank you so much for taking such good care at home when I have to be away. With Adam off in San Francisco right now, it's a lot to ask a 17 year old, to mind this ranch on your own. I'm really proud of you, and how good a job you do."

"Thanks, Pa, but we got good men here, too. So between our hands, and the foreman, and Hop Sing... it ain't that hard to take care of things for just a week at a time. I don't know how you do it with all the stuff to manage and then that book work, too. I'm just glad I don't have to mess with the journals and ledgers and contracts," Hoss said, nodding towards Ben's desk with his satchel sitting on it bulging from the seams with just those journals, ledgers, and contracts to be dealt with for the next couple days.

"One day, my son, you'll need to learn about all that, just as Adam has had to. They're as much a part of what makes the Ponderosa run as our cattle, horses, or timber. They're certainly going to keep me busy for the next couple days!"

"Well, better you than me, Pa. I'll deal with the fences and moving the brood herd from the north to middle pasture, and you can get the paperwork done this week."

"Fair enough, son. Now... let me go tuck Joseph in for the night, and we can relax for a bit. Fancy a game of checkers?"

"Sounds good, Pa. I'll set it up while you settle Little Joe," Hoss smiled as he got the board and pieces out to relax with Pa for a little while.

Ben opened Joe's door to see that he'd been good as his word, climbing back into bed and falling half asleep. Joe saw him come in and scooted over in the bed to make room for his Pa to sit. "Missed you, Pa. Did everything go all right in Carson City?"

"Yes, son. Everything's fine, and we'll have plenty of work to do this coming year. Plenty of work for you to do this summer, too. You'll get to learn and try a lot of new things. But for right now, you just go back to sleep and be ready for school tomorrow. I'm home, and everything is fine. I'll be around the house mostly for the next couple days, just catching up on paperwork, so mind your p's and q's. Not good days to get into mischief here... I'll be too close and I see too much!" Ben laughed as he tousled Joe's curly locks.

"Pfft!" Joe scoffed. "Doesn't matter WHERE you are, Pa. You're always too close and see too much when it comes to me getting into mischief."

"Now THAT'S true enough, my boy! Good night, now. Sleep tight." and Ben kissed him gently on the forehead.

"Aww... Pa! I'm too big for that!" Joe pretended to protest.

"No you aren't, and there's no one here to see! Now go to sleep!" Ben growled with a laugh, as he stood up and made his way to the door.

"Yes, sir. 'Night!" Joe called after him, secretly happy that he wasn't yet too big for a goodnight kiss on the head from his Pa. As he rolled over, snuggled into his blankets, and dropped off into the deep peaceful sleep of the righteous.

The next morning Joe was up bright and early, his make up assignment finished and saddlebags packed for school. He'd been very pleased, and more than a little surprised, to find that he'd been able to ride home Friday without too terribly much discomfort. He'd managed to stall about 30 minutes after his paddling before trying to mount his horse, and between the cushioning of the saddlepad and the quilted suede of the saddle seat, he could ride pretty well at an extended walk, or a single foot gait, though he needed to avoid a trot or even a lope until Sunday. It surprised him that he could sit supper without much discomfort. That paddle stung and burned like the dickens, but he wasn't bruised and the soreness didn't last very long, so that was a mercy.

As he saddled Cochise, he considered the upcoming day. He had all his schoolwork ready, and figured he'd be all right as far as class was concerned. But he wasn't looking forward to after school. He knew Miss Jones had invited him to settle for Friday's paddling and he could call it all good. But he still knew darned well that if it were up to Pa, or Pastor Fletcher, or even Adam... he'd be taking more than those 5 licks for what he did. No, he deserved the 11, so he'd volunteer to get it over with, even if it did mean another round sitting in a hornet's nest. Cochise had a really smooth single foot gait. It was just what Pa would decide afterwards that made him nervous.

He followed his instructions and just before riding out, while Pa was in the kitchen pouring another cup of coffee, Joe took Miss Jones' note and placed it prominently atop all the paperwork on his big desk. He knew Pa was headed there next with his coffee cup, so he hurried out to mount up and get down the road a piece before Ben could open and read the note. Joe got to the schoolhouse without incident, untacked Cochise, and went to play with Billy and his friends until school started.

The school day went by without a hitch. Joe dealt with that same weird time effect, sometimes feeling like the clock wasn't moving at all, and then other times seeming like it was racing to a finish line. Finally, 3:00 rolled around, and Miss Jones dismissed the class. Joe again dawdled with putting his things away, as he heard Pa's boots mount the front school steps as the last of the children headed down the lane.

"Afternoon, Miss Jones," Ben said, taking off his hat as he walked into the room.

"Afternoon, Mr. Cartwright. I'm so glad you could join us. I hope I didn't inconvenience you too much. I know you must be very busy having just gotten home," she smiled and extended her hand as Ben came over to shake it.

"No, ma'am. No inconvenience at all. I had to come into town to conduct a little business anyway, and I'm never too busy to meet with you about Joe if you feel it's important." Pa gave Joe a concerned look, unsure whether to be angry, worried, or what.

"Well, Mr. Cartwright, I appreciate that. And I do think this meeting is important, but it is not because I have any complaint at all about Joseph's behavior. In fact, I am very proud of his deportment, and I expect you will be as well."

It may sound unkind to say that Ben's expression showed genuine surprise, but it did. It wasn't because he lacked pride in his son, but rather just that a note sent home from school was not a typical harbinger for such pride. He was confused, but realized he had stepped into the middle of a story, so he decided to wait and get the facts before determining his mood.

"Let me catch you up on the details. Last week, Joseph discovered that an academic practice in which he had been engaging was not appropriate or acceptable. In fact, he had... mostly unwittingly... violated some rather strict policies of my teaching. When he learned of this, through a homework assignment, his conscience would not allow him to let it go unaddressed. Therefore, without any prompting or being caught out, he did the honorable thing and came to me, making a full and frank confession of his... erm... misdeeds. Are you with me so far, Mr. Cartwright?" she asked, with a slight smile and twinkle in her eye.

"I think so, Miss Jones," Ben replied, with an interested look and a calm voice that acknowledged that whatever had gone on, she surely had command of the situation.

"Good. Now, I doubt our young man had totally 'clean hands' even at the beginning of his misadventure. To some extent, particularly as he continued to hide what he looked upon originally as whacking good fortune, he was most likely aware that his conduct was out of order. However, once it became totally clear to him, he immediately sought redress, and threw himself 'on the mercy of the court' so to speak, even knowing that the penalties could be quite harsh."

"I see," Ben rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "May I ask the nature of these misdeeds, and their penalties?"

"You may, but just bear with me a few moments longer and all will become clear," she replied. "I want you to know that when your son confessed, we went over some of the remedial work to be done, along with the fact that the consequences for this include a paddling. He made no objection, and when I asked how many swats he felt would be fair, he volunteered twice as many as I felt appropriate. When I voiced my opinion, and asked if he wanted to reconsider, he respectfully acknowledged my judgment, honestly said he wished he could agree, but felt he deserved the higher number.

"I don't mind telling you, Mr. Cartwright, I've never had such a thing happen before, and I have developed the utmost respect for Joseph's integrity and character. Please accept that from me as a great compliment to you as a father."

Ben looked down at his toes, just a little embarrassed at the praise, but feeling a warm flush of pride at his son's efforts to make things right. "I see," was all he said.

"Now, having said THAT, I will say that the misbehavior involved was a form of cheating," she paused as Ben's eyes looked up with a momentary flash of anger. "HOWEVER, it was a rather subtle form that Joseph had never even heard of before his homework assignment last week. Joe plagiarized some schoolwork of Adam's from years ago, that he found in a trunk Adam had asked him to go find and use for books for his assignments. He found drafts and notebooks of Adam's, and reworked Adam's reports into his own."

Slowly the light dawned in Ben's mind. "So the improved grades in composition, grammar, all that..."

"Correct, Mr. Cartwright. Joseph was indeed writing the reports and essays, so some of the credit goes rightly to him. But the reasoning and insights..."

"Were Adam's," Ben finished for her, smiling.

"Indeed. Now, bear in mind, Joseph was entirely forthcoming with me about the whole thing, because when he realized this was a form of cheating, his conscience would allow him no peace. In accordance with my policy on cheating he has received a Zero on each of the plagiarized works, he is rewriting them on his own, responding to notes I wrote on them to redirect his thinking. The grades he receives on the rewrites will be penalized one full grade point on his record. He has been kept after school twice thus far, today will be a third time. The first day he was detained was when we discussed this matter for the first time, last Thursday. We reviewed his penalties, and I sent him home to consider his punishment. The next day, after due consideration, we discussed his conclusions and Joseph was paddled, five serious swats, which was the recommendation I had originally made."

"So is that your decision, Miss Jones? That Joseph receive five swats?" Ben asked.

"It is not, Mr. Cartwright. I have found Joseph to be very sensitive to conscience. He is very determined not to be considered a thief, a liar, or a cheat. When last we spoke, Joe did not yet feel he had satisfied the demands of justice, and felt he had earned eleven swats for his actions... in part because he submitted eleven false pieces of work. Friday, after his paddling, I said I would leave it to him to determine if we were finished or if he wanted the remaining swats today. I have not yet asked him his decision." Miss Jones turned from addressing Ben, to Joseph for the first time. "What is your decision, Joseph? Are you satisfied with the punishment you've received, or do you feel the remainder is due?"

"Please don't think I'm not grateful, Miss Jones. But I'd feel like I was getting away cheap on those other six assignments. They were just as wrong as the first five. Maybe more, 'cause I got more and more uncomfortable as the weeks went by. So... if it's all the same with you, ma'am..." and Joe's voice just trailed off.

Both Ben and Miss Jones worked to mask their slight smiles as she said, "Very well, then. I understand your feelings and admire your sense of justice. Please close the doors and windows, and then you know what to do. I see you are wearing lighter clothing than on Friday. Is your shirttail...?"

"Yes'm. I'll pull it up."

While Joe got ready, Miss Jones described her first attempt at paddling Little Joe, ending the narrative with her speculation that Joe had found a diplomatic way around suggesting that Miss Jones 'hit like a girl', and discovered that not to be the case. She explained that when she paddled students Joe's size and smaller, it was generally much less severe.

"Mr. Cartwright, would you prefer to stay, or to wait outside?" Miss Jones asked, as Joe handed her the paddle.

"No, ma'am. If it's all the same with you, I'd rather stay." Ben answered.

"That's fine, sir. Now, please bear in mind, this is normally reserved for more upper division older boys, and only for serious infractions like hurtful pranks, fighting, or defiance. Please don't think little ones are paddled this way." She turned to Joseph, who had positioned himself, pulled out his shirttail, and grasped the opposite edge of the desk. She again folded the shirt up along his back, giving her clear access to her target.

"Are you ready, Joseph? This will be just the same as Friday. You will keep the count and set the pace." she declared, as she positioned herself to his left.

"Yes'm, ready," he answered.

Ben stood off to the side as Miss Jones administered the identical paddling she'd given Joseph on Friday. Her questions to Joseph, and timing remained the same, so that he had control of the flow and could maintain his self control. Ben watched both of them, and noticed the nuances of her discipline. He hated having to discipline his children from time to time, and he could see that she took no pleasure in chastening children either. He blinked in sympathy at the two hard swats at the beginning, and then noticed with approval that the next three swats just reinforced those first two, adding little to the actual trauma. He also noted, with approval, that each swat was used to reinforce the message of the reason for its administration, so that a child acknowledged the misdeed or affirmation being enforced. After the fifth swat, Miss Jones stopped and told Joseph he could get up. Again, he brushed the threatening tears from his eyes onto his sleeve as he stood, and ever so gingerly started to tuck his shirt back in... surreptitiously rubbing his backside for a bit of comfort.

"Joseph," she began, "I simply don't have the heart to give you that eleventh whack. If you still feel it's deserved by Friday, I'll give it then. On those rare occasions when I have to paddle a student, I usually try to do that on a Friday, so they don't have to sit on those benches all through the next day. But I feel confident that you've learned your lesson, you've been justly and adequately punished, and I will not put this wood to you again today. When you are ready, you may put this away."

Joe sniffled just a bit, as he took the paddle from her hand and hung it back on the wall in its proper place.

"Now, Mr. Cartwright. I asked you here both so we could have this conference and so you could see, if Joseph was resolved to take these licks, the nature of his paddling. I know your policy on punishment at school, and your support at home. I wouldn't dream of interfering in your parenting. 'Your house, your rules' by all means. But I wanted you to see his paddling so that you could make an informed decision on whether any further chastisement was called for. If you would consider my view, I would posit that Joseph has adequately learned his lesson."

Ben had readily seen, and was very grateful for, her not-so-hidden agenda inviting him to witness Joseph's punishment. She'd not been exceedingly harsh, nor hesitant and waffling. She'd been willing to forego it entirely, had Joe been equally willing. But she had readily succeeded in making him aware that Joe's misbehavior was adequately addressed by her and that paddle. There was no further issue of necessary punishment.

However, there was a further issue of honor to be dealt with.

"Thank you, Miss Jones," he replied. "I agree with you on almost every point. Joseph was out of order in his plagiarism, but has shown truly admirable character in holding himself accountable to you and to school rules and consequences. I am, indeed, very proud of him. I am also proud that he did not choose 'cheap retribution' in light of his conviction of wrongdoing, but remained resolved to pay the price his conscience dictated. I could see that was difficult for you to bear, and I thank you for your dedication to teaching and correcting my son even through that difficulty.

"But just as you and this school have rules and policies, so do I and my house. I have made a promise to each of my sons, Joseph included, and I always keep my word... Joseph?"

"Yes, Pa?"

"What's our rule about a school paddling and note home?" he asked in a serious, but not angry, tone.

Joe tried to hold his nerve, as his hopes seemed about to be dashed. "If I get paddled in school, and there's a note home, then I'll get hided with your belt, too."

"Have I ever broken my word, or failed on a promise to you, son?"

"No, sir," he sighed.

"Well, since Miss Jones has been kind enough to bring us together so I can understand her discipline of you, I believe it's only right that I return the compliment. Leave your shirt tail in, son, but go back to that desk and assume the position, please," Ben said calmly, as he began to remove his belt.

"But, Pa... Please..." Joe didn't quite whimper, but tears threatened at his eyelashes again.

"Are you arguing with me, Joseph?" in a warning tone.

"No, sir. Sorry..." he said, as he bent over and grabbed the edge of the desk. He could have ridden home all right as things were. But if he took a belt whuppin' on top of this, now... getting home would be torturous.

"The two of you have discussed Joe's resolve that he take 11 licks for his cheating... Joseph?" Ben had pulled his belt free of its loops, doubled it in his hand, but wrapped it twice around his fist to shorten the lash of it, greatly reducing the impact with which it would strike. "Did you just take a school paddling, son?"

"Yes, sir. I did." Joe closed his eyes prepared for the worst.

Ben drew back about 90 degrees, "Thwap!" giving Joe a lick across the backside that was little more than noise. He knew the blow would only barely waken the paddle's sting he was still recovering from, and add nothing at all to his discomfort. Nonetheless, Ben had kept his word, and his rules were intact.

Joe hadn't moved a muscle, eyes closed and fists clenched tight around the desk's edge, thinking his Pa was just getting aim and distance, and that was a warm up.

"All right, son. We're finished. You can get up now," Ben said, as he began to rethread his belt through the loops.

"Pa?" Joe's voice expressed his confusion. "You mean... that's IT? We're done?"

"It is, we are... unless like with Miss Jones, you feel that expression of my displeasure was not adequate. I can certainly apply a few more serious licks, if you..."

"No, no, no, Pa. That's fine!" Joe jerked up like a puppet whose string was suddenly drawn tight. "Got it, Pa. Displeasure, kept your word. Got it."

"Good," Ben laughed as Miss Jones joined in the mutual merriment. "I too can temper justice with mercy, and since you were spoiling for 11 swats to recompense your 11 false reports, there's your last swat. I don't mind capping off a good paddling with a lick of my belt. Just don't think that kind of a hiding is going to happen very frequently, young man."

"No, sir. Got it. Well, I think I'll go saddle Cochise if I may be excused. Thank you, Miss Jones. I really appreciate..." and he didn't know how to say "your managing my Pa" without getting in trouble, so he just left things there.

She laughed, totally understanding what he couldn't say, "You're excused Joseph. Go saddle your horse. And don't you dare forget those make up assignments. Or I'll have you writing lines until the spring calf branding."

"No, ma'am. I won't. I promise," Joe called out as he trotted happily to the paddock.

"Thank you for everything, Miss Jones," Ben said, shaking her hand. "I understand that you are perfectly capable of disciplining my son when he's earned it. I'll not change my rule about school punishment and notes, but do feel free to indicate your preference in your notes. If you feel he's adequately chastened when he leaves here, let me know I need only a 'token of displeasure'. On the other hand, if he needs more than the five swats you can bear to administer, please let me know that, too."

"Fair enough, Mr. Cartwright. That's a deal. And please know how much I admire his spirit, and how proud I would be if he were my son. He's truly a pleasure to have in class... most of the time," she laughed.

"Ah, yes. I know that feeling so well. Thank you for being such a fine teacher, and of much more than reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic. You train the heart as well as the mind. Thank you."

"Have a fine day back home with your sons, sir," she blessed, as he walked out to mount Buck and ride around the building to join Joe.

"Well, son," Ben spoke to Joe as he cinched up his saddle. "What say you and I head over for some Ice Cream, while your backside cools off enough to ride home. You can eat your cone standing, if you want."

Joe smiled ruefully, "Thanks, Pa. Yer all heart."

"I live to serve, son. Now, let's see how Cochise does with that single foot, shall we?"

And Joe laughed as he mounted carefully, and they rode ever so gingerly towards the sweets shop.

A/N: I hope you've enjoyed this little story. I love(d) Bonanza, and even had a chance to see Lorne Green in person many years ago. He apologized that Hoss wasn't with him, but he'd had to stay at home to straighten his horse. (HE said it, not me.) Feel free to review, comment, or contribute ideas. Thanks for reading. Grace to you - Mort