New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-11-13
FRIGHTENING A CHILD.

Mr.. James Harrison Of Troy, New.York, states that
lie child was frightened into dangerous illness BY an
irudicous and improper punishment imposed by Miss
Gilbert school-teacher of that place, and publishes
the following card in The Troy Daily Times of the
10th inst:
To the Editor Of The Troy Daily TTes
SIR: The case of my little girl Clara Harrison, who
now Les in a critical situation. on bed of sickness,
having been made public Through no agency Of minel
by the city press deem 1t my duty to state the true
facts OF the case,
And to begin, will state that some months soce
teacher in the Eighth Ward School attempted to punish
Clara for alleged whispering. by making her st with
the boys-saying to the child that che must STAY with
them and go of the school with them, and other
wise censurng her to produce great fright Clara
came home weeping bitterly, had tits during the night,
and was sick for some two weeks. then called on
the principal of the school, informing her of the cir
Cumstances explaining to her that the childs tenn
permanent was OF that sensitive nature that could not
bear severity that in future desired that word should
be sent to me when Clara failed to comply with the
rules of the school TO get her lessons properly aud
would see that all made right. received the as
surance that my request would be cheertuly complied
with.
As has been stated In The Times. my little girl came
home from school on Wednesday evening week after
o'clock happening to be home at the time-and
was at once shocked at her pale and angud appear
ance She trembled, and was hardly able 10 speak
This was about an hour after the dismissal OF school
pacifed her after a time as to converse with the
child. In answer to inquiries she said the teacher
Miss Gilbert, had ehut her up for not getting her
geography lesson and threatened TO keep her locked
up all night. She asked me if would not help her
get her lesson for if she did not have perfect in the
morning Miss Gilbert said che would lock her up all
day. promised to assist her, and requested her to
take her supper She refused soon ascertalned
that she was very ILL., and in hour so the child
commenced bleeding severely at her mouth aod nose;
her mno wandered and she has had but few lucid mo-
mepts since. In her insane EXPLANATIONS sne naS
dwelt almost entirely upon the affair of her punish nent
riteousy implerng Miss Gilbert to let her go, aud
promise g to get her lesson perfect That my child was
frightened into this dangerous illness by Mis- gilbert
punishment and threatened punishment, am fully sat
ised as is also her physician, DR.. Batchord refer
| all who feel an interest in this case to hin.
Miss Gilbert has committed sad indscretion in this
natter but believing she intended harm, did not
design making public any complaint against her.
Since however In her behalf, others have msrepre-
scented the in the newspapers, deem my duty
TO make this statement of the true facts. Ii Is stated
that Miss Gilbert did not leave the child but she dark
enod the and threatened to leave her there alone
aid as c. ara stated coming home, she did go out
eide lock the door, and leave her for q short time.
AND instead of the child being detained only fifteen
minutes full hour after the dismissal OF the
school before Clara returned home 1t Is untrue that
requested Miss Gilbert to compel the child to get
her lessons never saw that lady until after this sad
occurrence My little girl in perfect health up to
the period of this fright She is bright child, and
losrns quickly; but she cannot stand severity AT
home we have endeayored TO teach her Tuthtulness.
She beliey ed she to be punished as threatened.
The consequent fright has caused the alarming illness
from which we hope and pray she may recover. As
against this mode Of punishment. And a msstatement
OF the facts in this shall not shield the wrong from
pt Spv' 10 6e is5s. ~ JAMES HARRISON.