New-York tribune., 1885-03-18
TWO STUMPS CAUSED 1T ALL
HOW A TEACHER GOT INTO TROUBLE.
THE SERIES OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO UD
ARREST FOR WHIPPING A LAD.

THE SERIES OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LID 70 NJ
ARREST FOR WHIPPING LAD.
Ordinarily stumps have nothing to do with
schools; but Long Island I'm the Of 6mthvilIe,
near the Hampstead Plains. there two Ettlo ones
which will have to be publicly grubbed before the
peace of an outraged community can be 10
stored and the teaching Of the youthful mind
how to calculate be resumed. These two stumps are
twins evidently They three inches thstr
tops stand three inches above the level of the ground
and three feet apart They In Of the
playground which surrounds tho public school, and have
been considered until entirely harmless Ono 10
about the middle of January, two Of tho schosr
Clifford Smith, age fourteen, and Henry Valentine, sge
thirteen each stood stump. first on one foot and
then the other, after tho manner Of boys In the
ordinary course Of their rambling, rafting. rolckng
talk they managed to kick few autumn leaves over the
tops OF tbc stumps.
BY another boy along and stumpcd his toe
the other OF these sumps and immediately Get
of for the schoohouse with howl for the principal,
Charles Boynton Just twenty-one. Smith and Valentine
were called before the masters awful throne and thus
addressed.
"what made you cover up those stumpst"
"We didn't think, SIR"
"You must be taught think Go down into the base
mont and pick ont the biggest two sticks Of
wood you can find, shoulder them and carry them
around tho house three tmes The boys whimpered thaA
they couldn't the big sticks and as no such nsubor
SroSs the day and eecs
compromise with the principal
"Mr Boynton," said Mr.. smith, sr., eve believe The
best way settle the matter for you to stick
OF wood around the house. We will choose the stick fog
you and one each for the two boys, and you all shall
Agreed" said Boynton, in spirit of reconciliation
snow my wingness to make things ali right with the
boys No shall be allowed to throw his stick down.
All consented. The school boys and girls gathered
around to see the fun and away went the teachcr ns
got around all right but Mr. Boynton dropped his burden
six times. Not word said about that just then and
soon, though childish opinions on the woodcarrying
business expressed and Mr.. Boynton was made 70
believe the MAO got dse and q ons n with
several other boys Smith aud Valentine faed 70 40
Take your states and sit down in that corner and
don't you till you've worked every one OF those
smith aud valentine immediately obeyed, and didn't
the reading class which was called after awhile
YSa clifford smith, why don't you come to your
.Yon tor not to I'LL had done all the sumas
"Come right to me, SIR You have infringed one or
the rules Of this school In refusing to come to recte your
Thereupon, according the boys, the principal laid
Smith on the oor face down. and belabored him with
ruler younger Smith stood outside ana cred durin3
the performance. The principal poked hh head out ot
You go home" he said to the little chap, who went
He got back with older Smith just as the matinee was
"CIiford cried all the way home" said Mr.. smith
of his son He complained OF great pains and was
almost unable to walk. If had known at the time how
he had treated should not have waited 10 go 70
law with the principal" 80,
On Saturday and Sunday the boy was In ped ana nie
parents think he will be lifelong sufferer. On Monday
Mr.. Smith went to Jamaica and swore out warrans
for the arrest Mr. Boynton and yesterday the latter
was arraigned before Justice Bets on the charge OK
assault He was represented by George Wallace Editor
OF The Sos,de Obsrrer lawyer justice OF tae peace.
He pleaded not guilty aud the case was set down ior
trial on March 81
Mr. Boyntop Is the sen of Methodist clergyman anc
has been teaching in smthville only short time He
has been much liked by the trustees OF the school ana
has ALWAYS had their support He has the reputation OF
being strict and while given somewhat to thrashing no
has not been charged with being c,uel When MI smto
was ASKED why he Jamaica 70 get warrant No
said that he would have fair trial In Smthvie oe
Hcnpstead because the justices there were Intimate
| friends OF the accused man.