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A Whipping Worth The Having In Plum Valley
Circa the mid-19th century old American West, this story is a little nod to the Andy Garvey character in the old T.V. series, "Little House On The Prairie"
It was hard enough growing up with the last name, Luck. The clichéd nicknames seemed never- ending starting at a young age, not even to mention that poor Travis was by now a thirteen year old traveling through his young life in a sixteen or seventeen year old sized body.
Adults, especially his one room schoolhouse teachers, had expected too much maturity from him over his pre-adolescent years resulting in many more spankings and switchings than the other children received. Boys his age treated him a bit like a freak or an oversized punching bag at times and given Travis' otherwise soft-hearted nature, he was even subject to a bit of bullying by boys much smaller than him no matter their advanced age.
Worse, when your father had traveled the country's dirt highways and byways most of your life as a salesman for farm implements and supplies, it was hard to settle in just one place for any length of time and keep bosom friends before you moved on yet again!
And so it was that in the late summer of that year, Travis' father, Theodore or Ted Luck, finally decided to settle down from dragging his family hither and yon and opened up his own hardware store in the small western town of Plum Valley. Perhaps finally Travis could stop having to get used to new places, adults and friends his age and they him!
Oh, it started out fairly well. Luck's Hardware Store opened up with a huge banner: "Good Luck to the Lucks!" and Mr. and Mrs. Luck were flooded with business from the get-go. School started a few weeks later for Travis at Plum Valley's version of the classic Old American West one room school house just at the edge of town and for once, the teacher, Mr. Godfrey, didn't mistake Travis for anything other than a largish thirteen year old boy.
Yes, things were going to be just fine now and were for a few weeks and then a problem arose for young Travis. Maybe by now, Travis was too gun-shy to be other than exceptionally well mannered, if not too well-mannered in his new digs. What? That was a problem? Was there such a thing as too good? Think about it.
When your parents are suddenly very important town merchants and quickly popular as well, you don't want to upset the apple cart. In addition, George Godfrey's educational talents as a teacher had somehow made quite an impression on Travis and he was becoming a model student for the first time in his life, a real teacher's pet in fact!
Talk about proud. Mary Luck and father Ted could crow on and on for hours about their son's newly emerged scholarly prowess. Accolades and privileges quickly flowed Travis' way to keep the good thing going. For awhile, it seemed every wholesale shipment of items for the family store included some special reward or present for Travis, a fact not lost on his growing circle of friends, male and female.
I mean, how many expensive fishing poles, assorted tackle and shiny silver belt buckles could one boy amass, one of each for every day of the week? Not to mention, the adults of Plum Valley's high society were starting early to push their young daughters towards making friends with Travis for future marriage consideration. Once again, Travis' circle of male friends took notice and not in a good way, but what could he or they do?
* * * * * * * * * *
"Front and center Billy Holt! And don't fail to bring that note with you! I saw you trying to give it to Travis to get him in trouble! Prepare for a good switchin' young man!"
The fifteen year old stood, red faced and defeated yet again for the second time in as many weeks. He slowly walked forward, already unhitching his overalls and briefly glared at Travis. For once, Travis glared back. It wasn't his fault that his behavior was pristine and he could do maths and spelling better than even the older boys and some of the girls too!
It was then that Travis also slouched down into his seat. Mirabel Schnebble, the Mayor's daughter, was giving him the eye, again. That would not go over well with Paul Nettle, the town Sheriff's son.
The sixteen year old had been carefully "courting" the fifteen year old Mirabel that whole year before, that is until Travis Luck showed up. As it was, Travis had been witness to more than one of Paul's more-than-expected-for-a- lawman's-son bare butt strappings over his dad's knee, pretty humiliating for Paul.
Travis quickly exchanged an irritated scowl from Paul's direction when the spectacle at the front of the school room commenced and took both of their attentions. Billy's bared bottom was now bent forward across Mr. Godfrey's desk and the long fresh switch in Mr. Godfrey's fist was drawn back and then rushed forward to raise the first of many red criss-crossed welts as each boy and girl looked on.
Travis grimaced as he watched. He was sure glad that it was Billy's bum and not his getting those awfully painful looking cuts. Come to think of it, since arriving in Plum Valley, Travis had not had a spanking or switching or any corporal punishment! That was a world's record for Travis and as time went on, not one that apparently carried much weight with his peers.
In fact, even as an especially wintry October blended into November that first year, even Travis' brand new Remington repeater rifle held no power to lure best friend, Gerald Bowes, to some much needed after school play-time. Gerald was just released from grounding after a bare bottom whipping from his Dad for poor grades and for the first time refused Travis' offer!
It was really bad when your best friend's father held you up to him as the model student,
"You best get to cypherin' like Travis here or expect a good many more whippings in the near future!"
"Let's face it Travis, you're just too good for your own good!"Gerald frowned and walked away from a very disappointed Travis who just stood there and could not understand how not being "too good" made any sense at all. Why would anyone want to screw up and get even one whipping from your Pa or Mr. Godfrey?
Travis sullenly walked home to the family home that afternoon and had nothing better to do than take an unexpected shift in the family hardware store just for some company!
"Travis, I thought you were going to have Gerald over?" father Ted wondered with surprise from in back of the cash register, having rung up yet another profitable sales from a faithful Plum Valley customer.
Travis looked up, his eyes conveying a certain confused bitterness. How do you tell your loving and very proud father that all the good grades and behavior in the world seemed to be causing you more grief than it was worth? He just couldn't.
"Just had other things to do, that's all," and sadly heaved a big sigh.
Ted paused with crossed arms and then scratched his chin. He wasn't ignorant about son Travis' amazing climb to local educational glory and reputation. George Godfrey never failed to remind he and Mrs. Luck about how glad he was to have Travis in his school room each week at their high society bridge club gatherings at the parson's home. Just maybe it was a two edged sword, just maybe.
The very next bridge club gathering …
"George, it baffles me. I see less and less of Travis' friends spending time with him. I was in the store and heard with my own ears how much Gerald was looking forward to seeing Travis' new Remington and seems to be avoiding Travis now. Is there something going on between Travis and the boys at school of which I'm not aware?"
"Maybe too many girls. I spied no fewer than three girls gathered around your son at recess the other afternoon Ted, you should be proud."
"Three? Really. Say, you've never mentioned any disciplinary problems with Travis. You wouldn't have neglected to tell me about anything like that concerning Travis, would you George?"
"Oh please Ted. I really enjoy our friendship as well as being your bridge partner to give our good women partners a fine thrashing. But, I'd never neglect to tell you if Travis had needed a good whipping. That would never be my policy … sure seems to make the other boys jealous however. I don't miss a beat in my school room!"
"Jealous?" Ted replied attentively as they sat down across from each other towards another friendly card game and battle of the sexes.
"It's nothing Ted. You know how boys are, competitive in most anything including who can take a whipping harder or more often it seems. If those other boys would just take Travis' example, they wouldn't have to suffer so much. I don't feel sorry for them that Travis seems to know how to behave and they don't!"
Ted filed away George's comment and analyzed his dealt hand of thirteen,
"I suppose not, well, time to bid … one club!"
* * * * * * * * * *
The year crept closely to that November's Thanksgiving holidays and the yearly First Thanksgiving school play. Brisk and profitable business continued in Ted's and Mary's store despite, if not because of inclement weather. Ted had a sixth sense about such things and stocked accordingly, Mary as well with a good supply of wintry clothing in women's and children's wear.
Ted was in a great mood that day, customers streaming in and out at a steady rate. The school bell chimed in the distance. Despite the brisk snowfall, many of the school kids would still be coming in soon for after school treats and such and Ted could afford to give them very good prices for them to brag to their parents.
A short while later it happened, Ted overheard Billy Holt and Paul Nettle talking very quietly to some other boys including Gerald Bowes as all were waiting in line to pay for their snacks.
"Damn that Mr. Godfrey, he plays favorites now!" one boy hissed.
"Tell me about it. Travis Luck got the best part in the play, that little kiss-ass, he can't act for crap!" another said.
"I hate him now. I used to be his best friend. But he never gets a tanning! I'd pay good money to see that boy's behind get a real good licking, just for once!"
Ted listened, especially horrified by the last comment as it came from Gerald. It was now very clear that peer pressure surely was working against son Travis in a very unexpected way.
That night, Ted conferred with Mary out of Travis' hearing,
"The strangest thing I overheard today, Mary."
"Oh?" Mary said, looking up from her crocheting. Ted explained the boys' odd comments concerning son Travis.
"Oh really Ted. Travis is going places in this world, he doesn't need those common boys or their apparent need for physical discipline. I expect maybe we should consider boarding school back east for Travis next year, keep him far away from this town's young hooligans."
Ted was incredulous, "Hooligans? Boarding school? Mary, we are well to do, but really!"
"Ted, just think of it! Our Travis will be a great man some day. Maybe famous too! And all because of our hard work to reach Plum Valley high society and give him the best!"
High society indeed. Yes, they had made it to the top in Plum Valley in record time and had even met the State's governor once in his passing through Plum Valley that early October. Mary had never been the same since.
Every Plum Valley adult for miles around wanted to be and were their friends, but what good had it done Travis? Travis didn't care about adults and their high society, he just wanted to fit in with his peers.
Mary would be of no help in this very delicate matter, so who could be? Likely nobody, well, no adult at any rate if George Godfrey was any measure. So who was left? Travis' peers? Ted had to find out, so the very next day after school the kids wandered in and out of the store and Ted waited for one in particular.
Ted lucked out in a fashion, Travis didn't show up on account of the after school First Thanksgiving school play rehearsal, he was the lead character after all, Governor William Bradford. Gerald Bowes had been excused earlier and was already in the store. Ted took Gerald aside, though with some trepidation,
"Gerald, care to earn a free candy today?"
"Wow, sure Mr. Luck! How?"
Ted came in very close to Gerald's ear,
"Gerald, last week I overheard you talking to your friends about Travis."
Gerald backed off some from Ted. He had expressed some pretty strong sentiments against Travis,
"I didn't mean it, really Mr. Luck!" Gerald kind of lied.
"Oh that's OK Gerald. I really think I'm beginning to understand. You boys think Travis is too good, don't you?"
Gerald stayed on guard, but was honest,
"It's fine for Travis if he wants to be good Mr. Luck, but we boys all get spankings and switchings here in Plum Valley. If you don't, then you're just … just weird, that's just the way it is Mr. Luck!"
"But you're Travis' best friend Gerald," Ted tried to counter.
"I miss Travis Mr. Luck, but Billy, Paul and the others are really sore with him, so I have to be as well. You're rich, so Travis is rich and he's getting all the girls' attentions as well. I just can't afford to stick out from older friends than what Travis is, sorry Mr. Luck."
"No, that's OK Gerald, thank you for being honest with me," Ted said and gave Gerald the promised treat. So, it was true. It was possible to be too good in Plum Valley, at least where his son was concerned. Ted wanted happiness for his son, so he had do something and soon too!
* * * * * * * * * *
It was just a few hours before the school play, Ted took Travis aside,
"Travis, tell me, how are you getting along with Gerald and the other boys?"
Travis had given up. If they didn't like him, if Gerald refused to be his friend anymore, there wasn't anything he could do,
"I could do without most of 'em Dad, I miss Gerald though. I just can't be like them I guess," and it was Travis' disappointed, but brave face that sealed Ted's risky plan. He hugged Travis close to himself,
"Never give up hope son, just remember that, OK?"
Travis nodded and Ted patted his boy on his bottom before their parting.
The First Thanksgiving school play went off without a hitch, a rousing success. Travis Luck had played a great part and accepted the adults' congratulations, much to the chagrin of most all of the boys who really didn't want to see him do that well.
Otherwise all seemed in a joyful after-play mood in the crowded church building when two of the play's participants, two boys, appeared from the cloak room,
"My grandfather's watch is missing!" said one,
"Somebody has stolen my pocket money!" another accused.
The room went silent. Sheriff Nettle shouted,
"Is there anything else missing?" and the adults sped about, everyone did except Ted Luck who stood to the side and crossed his fingers.
Two other boys showed up with things missing, small things, but nonetheless personal property. The church exit was closed off and the Sheriff and Mr. Godfrey decided to do a search and made a startling discovery which they then revealed before the entire townsfolk gathered,
"Travis Luck! We found all of these boys' missing property and monies in your things!"
The crowd of adults, girls and boys all gasped and backed away from the play's hero.
Travis paled, his mouth agape,
"I didn't do it! I didn't! I would never do anything like that!" and he looked at his parents in confusion. Ted blew out his cheeks. Maybe this had not been such a good idea, but now it was too late!
Mary Luck was enraged,
"How dare you all! Some jealous boy, man or even a girl, you set my son up! He could never do anything like that!"
"Settle down Mary!" Ted said and looked at his son in a very peculiar way and then walking over to him asked,
"Did you steal the things Travis?"
"No father!" Travis insisted.
Ted was silently begging for his son to recognize the opportunity. He hugged Travis close to his chest and whispered in his ear,
"Just trust me Travis, remember, there's always hope," then backed away and once again asked with growing trepidation,
"Travis, did you or did you not steal the things?"
Travis looked long and hard at his father and then at the adults and girls, but especially hard at the boys. The faces on the boys all looked hopeful if for the wrong reason! But why? What had he ever done? And then it suddenly struck Travis and now he thought he understood. He swallowed hard and looked at his father and mother, but especially at his father,
"Ma, Pa, I … I couldn't help it. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I took the things. I felt tempted and took them. I'm sorry, I'm sorry everyone, it will never happen again!"
The room exploded with a few angry shouts and the boys looked triumphant, all but a few, but one of those was Gerald Bowes. His Mother looked faint and was being consoled by her friends to the side.
Ted kneeled and hugged Travis to him again,
"It's OK Travis, nobody is perfect; but you must face punishment now!" especially saying the last few words very loudly for the other boys to hear.
Travis' face was already streaked with tears. He was afraid, but trusted his father,
"Yes Pa."
"He's your boy Ted, what are you gonna do about this?" the Sherriff asked for all the fathers.
"A good hard whipping, that's what and I think all the boys and girls should watch, so they learn too. Nobody is perfect, but nobody is above the golden rule either, especially my son!"
"Ted Luck, no! You cannot do this! You will not be whipping my son!" Mary bristled trying to step between Travis and his father. The room went silent as the two adults faced off.
Travis stepped forward and around his mother, facing her,
"No Ma, it's OK. I did a wrong thing against the boys, I have to take my whipping!"
Mary's mouth flopped open and with a great show of frustration, she rushed from the room and out of the church, her friends closely behind.
The unaffected adults and any who wished also left the church building, leaving Travis' teacher, Mr. Godfrey, Sheriff Nettle and especially all of Travis' peers, boys and girls. A small desk similar to Mr. Godfrey's was brought to the center and Travis was made to strip down his pants and underwear like all boys did in front of the one room school house.
A peach tree switch was brought fourth and thrust into Ted Luck's fist and Travis had to bend over the desk, just like all of the other boys had at one time or another. Gerald Bowes, Billy Holt and Paul Nettle stood together sporting grins of satisfaction as finally the "goodie-goodie" was getting a good tanning that they all could witness.
Now it was Travis' turn to clutch onto the far edge of the desk as he had watched other boys do so many times before. When out of the corner of his eye he saw his father draw back the switch, he closed his eyes and waited …
* * * * * * * * * *
"A whipping and a grounding for two weeks Pa?!" Travis said trying to sound like an ordinary complaining boy as they walked alone side by side through the cold night back to their home, Travis still rubbing at his sore bottom.
Ted chuckled as he looked at his son's small smile. but then put his arm around Travis' shoulders and grew very solemn,
"Do you forgive me Travis? Did I do the right thing?"
Travis didn't need his Pa to say one thing. He knew what his father had done and risked and Travis loved him for it,
"Gerald, Billy and Paul all want to come over and see my rifle Pa, after I'm through with grounding that is."
"That is good news son," Ted sighed as snow began to fall from the darkened sky.
"Pa, will I still have to go to that boarding school back east like Ma wants? I don't want too, I'm tired of moving and don't want to lose my new friends."
"I'll tell you what Travis. You promise never to tell your mother what I did and I'll make sure you never have to leave Plum Valley until you're good and ready!"
"It's a deal! Thanks Pa!" Travis grinned ear to ear just as the snow really started to come down hard and father and son reached the front porch of their Plum Valley home.
The End
© Copyright PJ Franklin March 15, 2010
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Main Story PageLast updated: March 15, 2010