New Beginnings: Life Changes
ch. 27
Unexpected Events
As introductions are being made downstairs, Joseph and the older students are upstairs listening to Mr. Davis.
"Welcome to our new classroom. As most of you know, I am Mr. Davis and teach the upper level. The town has expanded the schoolroom downstairs so we are meeting here. This gives you a more quiet place to learn. My curriculum this year will be Geography, American History, Grammar, Spelling, Mathematics, Literature and common interest study. What, you may be wondering, is common interest study? It is study of life skills. We will delve into job skills, topics of interest and other surprises. My expectations are: you arrive on time, conduct yourselves as well behaved mannerly young people, complete all assignments on time, do your best work and refrain from disrupting the learning of others. There will be no fighting, lying, stealing, smoking, cheating or mistreatment of others in this school. If you choose to act inappropriately, you will have unpleasant consequences."
Stopping to let the students think over his words for a few minutes, Mr. Davis speaks again.
"I believe we have a few new young people among us today. I would like you to stand and tell just a little about yourselves such as where you are from as I call your name. First, Miss. Susan and Miss Beatrice Albright."
Looking across the room, Joseph sees two girls stand. One with dark brown hair and one with light blonde hair.
"I am Susan and this is my younger sister Beatrice. We have an older brother who is nineteen." the light haired one speaks. Her dark haired sister adds "I am Beatrice but friends call me Bea and we are from North Dakota. Papa came here to work."
"Thank you ladies, you may sit down. Next we have Francis Palmer. Please stand"
Once again looking at the girl's side, Joseph is surprised to see a boy standing two rows from him.
"My name is FRANK! I do not respond to Francis. I was dragged here by my dumb mother from our home in Philly. That is in Pennsylvania for those country people who do not know."
"You may sit down. Our other new member is Gordon Swanson. Please stand." Mr. Davis speaks again, ignoring the rudeness for the moment.
"Hi, I am Gordon. My Pa sent me here to live with relatives. I live with my uncle, Nate Thompson. I lived in Texas but my Ma died last fall and so did my younger sister."
Welcome to Paradise, Gordon, Frank, Beatrice and Susan. Now that our introductions are over, please copy the mathematics problems on these boards to your paper. This is a mixture of problems just to give me an idea of where your skill level is at this time. Do not worry if some are diifficult as I designed the problems that way. You have two hours to do this task. I want you to attempt each problem. If you finish early you may choose a book from the shelves to read. Please begin."
As the students work on the math problems, Mr. Davis calls Frank to his desk.
"As one of our new students, I would like you to know I will not tolerate disrespectful behavior. When you address me, other adults or other students while you are attending this school, you will be polite. The tone of voice you used to tell me you wished to be called Frank is inexcusable. Also there is no name calling or ridicule of other students in this school. Addressing the students in that dismissive voice as 'country people' is unnecessary. You maintain a civil tongue in my class, understood?"
"I don't need you to lecture me on manners! My Ma does that often enough!" The boy answers back in the rude tone he used before.
"That did not answer my question. I asked if you understand when I say you will be polite and use good manners in this school. Do you understand me? The answer is Yes sir or No sir."
"And if I answer No, what are you going to do about it?"
Sitting close enough to hear this exchange, Joseph has stopped working to watch. Thinking Mr. Davis is being unecessarily stern to this new boy.
"Joseph! Back to work, young man!" He hears, startling him out of his thoughts.
"Yes sir." Joseph replies as he quickly reads the next problem.
"If you do not understand, we will hold decorum practices after school until you do understand. I have more than enough time to instruct you then if you need it. Are you in need of such lessons?"
"No sir. I am able to be polite."
"Thank you for the truthful response. Moving to a new place is difficult. If you take time to get to know the students, you will find them pleasant to be with. Now please begin your mathematics."
Finally released from the classroom for lunch, Joseph joins Theo sitting under a tree.
"This morning has seemed an eternity to me! I am ready for a break aren't you?" He asks unwrapping his sandwich from the lunch pail.
"I agree. Those math problems were difficult. I finished all but two. I don't believe I solved them all correctly though. Have we been taught finding the value of x plus y squared before? I had no idea what to write on that."
"Much of those problems were baffling to me. I didn't recognize the one that you are talking about either. I only finished half of them. I couldn't solve many of them so I worked those I could. Then that essay he assigned. Writing four pages on ourselves complete with correct punctuation, grammar, paragraphs, etcetera. It is the first day, for cripes sake! Mr. Davis has changed. He assigns tough work the first day and is not as friendly this term." Joseph tells his friend as they eat.
"We already have homework assignments as well! This tenth grade is not looking much fun." Theo agrees before asking "What dessert do you have? I have an apple tart. Would you like to share halves? I would give you half of mine for a half of that big slice of sweet bread. Want to?"
"Sure, here is half. Mama made it just this morning." Joseph answers, passing over the bread.
"Ohhhh, how sweet. Two little kids sharing lunches. What are you first graders?" The boys hear from above them.
Looking up, Joseph sees the new boy named Frank sneering at them.
"Hello, I am Joseph and this is Theo. Would you like to sit with us?"
"Might as well. Nothing else to do. This place has no excitement. You can't even ride on the boardwalk. I got fussed out by the sheriff last week. He threatened to take my bicycle, the damn hateful peepot!"
"Frank, watch what you say! Talk like that will get you in trouble." Theo whispers.
"Well, so what, it is the truth. The man is hateful and downright ugly too! Wearing all black that way!"
"Excuse me. I need to check on George. See you inside." Joseph speaks as he stands to leave.
After he has left, Theo says " You should know that Sheriff Cord is Joseph's Pa. You are badmouthing his Pa."
"Who is this George he is so worried about?" Frank asks, ignoring Theo's statement.
"George is Joseph's youngest brother. He is very protective of his two younger brothers, Ben is eleven and George is ten."
"Eleven and ten? They aren't babies they don't need coddling."
"Nonetheless, Joseph looks after them. They are all very close. Ben almost died a year or so ago from scarlet fever. He had to relearn things and sometimes seems younger than his age."
"George, why aren't you eating? You know Pa is right when he tells you to stop moping over Claire. We have to let her go to the school she wants to go to so badly. We can't be selfish to keep her from something she wants to do. Not eating isn't going to bring her home, you know." Joseph says after joining his brother on a set of stumps set in the ground.
"Joseph, I just can't eat. I am not being selfish or moping. My head hurts and my stomach really aches. I did try to eat. I had half of my sandwich. It really hurts, Joseph." George exclaims blinking away tears as he clutches his midsection.
"Alright, George. I'm taking you to Dr. Amy. Leave the lunch pail here and walk with me."
"We can't just leave school though! Pa won't like that, the teachers won't either." George replies still holding his stomach.
"Fine, let me tell your teacher then you are coming with me!"
"Miss. Donaldson? I am Joseph Cord, George's brother. George is feeling sick. He felt bad this morning before we left home as well. I am going to take him to see Dr. Amy."
Before the young woman can speak, she sees the boy turn and rush out of the school.
Finding Dr. Amy in the clinic instead of out on a call is a relief to Joseph.
"Well! Hello there George and Joseph. What brings you two here? Isn't today the first day of school?
"I brought George. He says his stomach aches and he hasn't been eating. He says his head hurts too."
"Thank you, Joseph. Now let me hear from George." Amy replies before leading the boys into her exam room.
"Climb up George. We'll talk some before I look you over."
"Claire's leaving has upset him. Pa scolded him for not eatiing and moping at breakfast this morning. He says his stomach hurts too much to eat lunch."
"Joseph just forced me to come. We should be in school." George says finally getting a chance to speak.
"I will look out for your brother, Joseph. You go on back to school."
"But I should stay. He might be sick and need me here. You might need me to take him home."
"Joseph, do you not trust me? Do you believe I am not capable of doing a good job with George?" Dr. Amy asks.
"Well, no, it isn't that. I just should stay with him."
"No, not today. I know your parents would disagree. They would want you in class. Now go back to school. George will be fine in my care."
"Yes, ma'am."
Walking into the front section of the clinic, Joseph hesitates at the outer door. Making a decision, he turns back to wait on a wooden bench by the wall.
Over in the Sheriff's office, Mitch hands Ethan a telegram he has just retrieved from the telegraph office.
"This came through as I was making my rounds. Charlie stopped me to deliver it. He said it was urgent."
Opening the envelope, Ethan reads the short message and folds the paper.
"There was a jailbreak in Calhoun. The men we arrested for attempted robbery of the Montana family wagon train are missing."
"That would be the Reynolds gang? The three men who threatened to 'come back and get even'? They threatened to shoot up the town. I remember them even if it was three months back. Are they headed this way?"
"It could be they are. I don't know exactly." Ethan replies.
"Those were some despicable men. Threatening women and children the way they did. What are you planning?"
"We have at least until the weekend. They can't make it here even on horseback until then. We'll be prepared to defend Paradise. I'll talk to the shopkeepers and have them be ready. We'll have men at each end of town to be on watch."
"Saturdays are busy family shopping days. Are you thinking of banning women and children from town? You never have before."
"Mitch, let's just think more before we jump to issuing bans. It may come to that though."
Having been found and escorted to the school by his aunt, Joseph grudgingly climbs the stairs to his classroom.
His mind still whirling from the tongue lashing he received for not following her instruction he approaches his classroom door. Opening and closing the door he walks quietly to his desk as Mr. Davis continues his lesson.
"Joseph, we are discussing United States geography. Please look at the map here at the front of the room. Alright students, you notice the state names have been covered. By the end of this school term, yes, by January, you will memorize the name, position and capital of each of the forty five states. Also the major cities in each state. We will learn the countries of the world in our second term. Now, who can come point out a state and perhaps name the capital?"
"Thank you for volunteering, Sarah. Here, take this pointer."
"Right here is Kansas. My family traveled by wagon through Kansas when I was around the age of six. I do not know the state capital, sir."
"Thank you, Sarah. You may sit down. Is there anyone who knows this state capital?" Mr. Davis inquires facing the students.
"Yes, Joseph?"
"The capital city of Kansas is named Topeka."
"Very good, Kansas is the latest to become a state. This brings the total to forty five as no states have been added in 1901. Joseph, which state would you like to name? Come show the class on the map."
"Right on the border of Kansas is Missouri. The capital of Missouri is Jefferson City but most people think it is St. Louis. My family lived in St. Louis when I was younger. Many of the early settlers of the west started their travels in St. Louis."
"Excellent, thank you Joseph." Mr. Davis praises, quietly adding "See me after school." before sending him to his desk.
Later, as the children file quietly out of the room, Joseph hears "Please approach my desk."
"Joseph, you are not new to school or to my class. You know not to just leave school the way you did. I am responsible for your safety as you are in my care. I did not know where you were."
"I apologize, sir. Mr. Davis, George was feeling ill. I took him to Dr. Amy. I did inform Miss. Donaldson, sir."
"She told me of that. Do you make it a habit to just announce to adults what you are going to do instead of asking permission?"
"No sir." Joseph replies trying not to move from his position of standing with his hands behind his back. The conversation seemed to be heading away from how he planned.
"No, indeed. Your father has taught you to behave better. You will take this note home. Have your father answer and return it tomorrow."
"Please, sir. Don't send a note home. It is just the first day. I didn't do anything wrong. I was looking out for my younger brother!"
"You may explain your reasoning to your Pa. We will have a good year together if you follow the rules. Things are not changing just because you are one of the oldest students, Joseph. You know the expectations I have for my students. If you have your homework copied from the boards, you may leave now. I will see you tomorrow.""
As the family back in Paradise is ending their day, Rob and Claire are enjoying train travel.
Having met and made friends with a young couple, Dan and Betsy, they have all found the dining car.
"What strikes your interest, Rob?" Dan asks from the opposite side of the table which is attached to the wall.
"There are no prices listed. How do I know what to buy? I don't want to overspend."
"Everything on the menu is included in your ticket. You choose what you would like to eat. I am having the steak meal. It comes with baked potato, roll, vegetable mixture and dessert. What are you ladies choosing, Betsy?"
"Claire and I chose the potato soup with veal cutlet. She wants to try my favorite meal on the menu."
"I will choose the steak as well, Dan." Rob decides as he notices the waiter taking orders.
"After dinner, you ladies can have private time to get refreshed or something. We guys are going to the smoking car for some card playing. Isn't that the plan, Rob?"
"I don't smoke but I'll join you in a game or two of cards. I don't plan on doing any betting just so you know up front."
"No smoking and no betting. Sounds fine to me, my friend. You do not need to explain yourself to me. I am your friend not your employer or parent."
"Claire, we can have turns in the refresher. That is a small space where we can wash. The water just runs out on the tracks. Isn't that grand? Some trains have no way to wash on long journeys."
Back in their section of the train, Claire watches as Rob removes his money belt. "I am leaving this with you. I don't want to even be tempted to bet. You wear it until I get back. We will keep them on at all times. Enjoy your freshening up. I will do the same before I come in for the night. I won't stay long."
"Thank you. Look how the seat has been turned into a bed. It is just flattened out. Where did this upper bunk come from? Who pulled these beds and made them up? We have sheets, pillows and blankets too!"
"Look at the wall space right beside it, Claire. It was folded into the wall. My guess would be Mr. Jeremiah set these up while we were at dinner. I hope to find them comfortable enough to sleep. I'm ready for sleep as this trip has been good but the worry over arrangements was tiring."
"Ben, George and Joseph would enjoy seeing this train and these beds. I hope they had a good day today. It was the first day back in school."
"A year ago we were with them in that first day experience. I, for one, am very glad I am done with school! I know you enjoy schooling but I do not. I will see you later. Be careful."
"You do the same, Rob."
Arriving home early, Ethan is greeted by the younger boys' laughter as they enjoy playing on the swing.
"Hello boys. What are you playing?" Ethan asks having watched for a few minutes without them noticing.
"Hi, Papa. We're playing tornado. We wind up the swing as tight as we can and let go. It spins around so you are whirling like a tornado." Ben answers for both of them.
"Just be careful not to let the tornado spin you off your seat, boys." Ethan tells them before going inside.
"Hello Mama and baby. How was your day? Where is Joseph?"
"Joseph is upstairs in Rob's room working on schoolwork. He said and I quote 'Mr. Davis has turned mean'. I assume he is mean for giving assignments the first day."
"Mhm. Joseph seems to be the child who often has a tough transition from summer to school. We have difficulty every fall. Ben loves summer as well but he usually settles in to school well. George, as you know, would happily attend school year round. Did you get lonely being alone today or did you enjoy the peace and quiet?"
"It was lonely. I brought Pepper, Shadow and Ginger inside to talk to. Pepper was not in the mood for conversation so he went back out to play. The cats and I had a long talk however while I baked chocolate cake. I felt we needed something special to celebrate the first day of school."
During supper, Ben talked of learning how to make introductions. "We went around the room and everyone introduced someone. There is a new boy in our class. His name is Andrew. He has a little sister whose name is Grace."
"Grace is a beautiful name. How old is Grace?" Delphie asks.
"She's only eight. Andy is twelve though."
"How about you boys, George, Joseph? How was your first day back in school?" Ethan asks, having noticed how quiet they have been.
"I liked the morning. We talked and then we did essays to introduce ourselves. Miss. Donaldson is nice. I wanted to go back after.." George says before catching himself.
"You wanted to go back. What do you mean by that, George?" Delphie asks.
"After lunch when I finished the horrible tasting medicine. Joseph made me go to Dr. Amy and she made me swallow awful medicine. Then she took Joseph back to school but wouldn't let me go!"
"Joseph? I believe you need to explain what went on. You left school and took George? Start talking." Ethan instructs the boy who looks ready to bolt from his chair.
"Having heard the story and read the note from Mr. Davis, Ethan commands "Joseph, go to your room to wait. I will be there soon. Ben, go with George to your room until I call for you both."
Unable to help himself, Joseph sits at the top of the stairs listening to his parent's discussion.
"What are you thinking, Ethan? I think an apology letter to both teachers and Amy would do. He meant well."
"Right at this moment, I feel he needs his britches warmed with my belt He knows not to leave school without permission. Then his disobedience with Amy. George heard her send him to school but he didn't leave. If he had, there would have been no reason for her to take him back to school!"
Hearing the firm voice state he felt a whipping was needed has Joseph retreating back to Rob's bed.
"Ethan, is that really necessary? After all, Joseph was concerned about his brother. It isn't like he played truant and went fishing. He genuinely felt George was ill."
"Let's talk to George. Then I'll go talk to Joseph."
Not finding Joseph in his own room, Ethan goes to Rob's knowing the boy has taken to staying up there.
Seeing his nearly fifteen year old curled around a pillow his shoulders shaking, causes Ethan to pause in the doorway. Knowing Joseph doesn't react this way when facing punishment, Ethan feels his frustration ease. There must be something he is missing in this event.
"Alright Joseph, let's talk. I spoke to George to hear his part. Now I want to hear your side. Calm down and talk to me. You don't carry on so at other times, why now?"
"I didn't do anything wrong and now I'm going to get a whipping! You haven't whipped me since I took Goldie to the canyon. I don't want you to start now." Joseph answers through sniffs.
"Have I told you you were to receive a whipping tonight?"
"You've said before if we had a note from school about misbehaving you'd whip us! I did not misbehave though. I was protecting my brother! His stomach was hurting and he was upset. I was worried, Pa! What if he had something bad wrong the way Ben did two years past?"
"You thought George was badly ill?"
"Yes sir. I thought maybe we were wrong in thinking he wasn't eating because of Claire. He was pale and shaking plus he was holding his stomach. I just thought of the time Ben collapsed outside of church. We kids were thinking he wasn't badly sick and he almost died."
"Tell me about what you said to Miss. Donaldson. Mr. Davis mentioned that in his note."
"I wasn't disrespectful. I was hurrying to get George to the clinic. I went in and told her George was ill and I was taking him to Dr. Amy."
"When you were at the clinic, did your aunt send you back to school?"
"Yes sir."
"Did you obey her at that time?"
"I needed to stay with George. I needed to make sure he was alright."
"Your answer is dancing around my question. Answer my question, Joseph."
"I stayed at the clinic after she told me to go to school."
"Joseph, do you remember your mama is trained in nursing?"
Wondering why he was being asked this, Joseph answers "Yessir, I know she is a nurse."
"Knowing this, don't you think your mama or myself would recognize signs of illness? We have watched George for the past three days. His behavior is not from illness. You did wrong today. You know better than to just announce your intentions to adults. You take the problem to Miss. Donaldson or Mr. Davis and let them make the decision to send someone to the clinic. What I see is a boy who disobeyed a direct instruction when you were told to return to school. You also left school without permission breaking the school rules. Do you have anything else you wish to say?"
Shoulders slumping, Joseph answers "No sir."
"Very well. Your punishment is to write an apology letter to Dr. Amy, Miss. Donaldson and Mr. Davis. You will include what you did wrong and what you should have done instead. These will be delivered tomorrow. I believe you need some time to think how to make better choices so you will be restricted to the ranch this weekend except for church services."
"No! You can't make me housebound this weekend! Theo and I have your and his Pa's permission to go camping Saturday! You said I could go!" Joseph complains loudly.
"Do not raise your voice to me young man! The punishment stays. You and Theodore can have a campout another weekend."
"YOU ARE BEING UNFAIR, I DIDN'T ..." is as far as Joseph gets on his shout before he finds himself flipped over on his stomach. His Pa's hand holding him in place.
"Pa? I'm sorry for shou... YOWCH!" Joseph exclaims as stinging smacks land rapidly on his backside. Counting fourteen before feeling the hand on his back move, Joseph carefully rolls over.
"You do not raise your voice to me or any other adult. Your actions were disrespectful and I punished you for them. Now are we finished with arguing or do we need to discuss this more out in the barn? Your restriction remains whether you wish to accept it or not."
"Yes sir. I understand. May I begin my apology letters? I have math homework to finish tonight." Joseph answers blinking back tears from his unexpected spanking.
"Bring them to me when you are finished. I have the wax seal in my bedroom. We will seal them with it."
"Yes sir."
Downstairs, just having settled in to read by the fire, Ethan sees George slowly approach.
"Pa? Are you going to punish me for leaving school today?"
"Do you think you deserve punishment son?"
"No sir. I was taken against my will. I didn't want to leave school. Besides, I've already been punished! Dr. Amy made me take this awful tasting black medicine and drink horrid oily water. That medicine made me have to run for the outhouse. It was a horrible day."
Over George's head, Ethan sees Delphie quickly cover her laughter with a cough.
"You are free from punishment this time. Don't leave school without permission again. Go get ready for bed now. You and Ben may come here by the fire once you are ready for bed."
After the boy has left, Ethan asks Delphie "What do you know of this 'black medicine and oily water'?"
"The black liquid is just ground black licorice but the other was castor oil in water. She gives the first to block the taste of the second. George is not a boy who appreciates black licorice it seems."
"Castor oil? That would be my idea of punishment too! Awful stuff!" Ethan says getting giggles from his wife at the sour look on his face.