Saturday, September 19, 2009

charles briggs memories by prune

Charles Briggs School Spankings

Two notable spankings come to mind while attending the Charles Briggs School in the 1940’s. The first was one administered to Roy Mukka by Miss Grierson when we were in the 6th grade (Also had her for the 7th grade).

She put Mukka over her knee and proceeded to spank his rump with vigor for something he did that no doubt deserved a spanking. She did not use a belt or a yardstick, only her hand. I can still see his swampers sticking up, his prominent chin sticking out and that “devilish grin” lasting throughout the ordeal, which, with all her exertions, “Girrsy” failed to erase

The second one involved Pete, Fred “Joffee” Juopperi, Ron Palosaari and I when we were in Hoagie’s 8th grade class. We were sent by Hoagie to Miss Flora Sandelin’s office for the offense of tardiness. We knew what was in store. Sandy had us all lined up. Palosaari was the first one in line, and incidentally, the oldest, with Pete being the youngest and me the next youngest.

Ron started bawling, making high-pitched noises even before Sandy wielded the flattened piece of asbestos fire hose she used as a strap. His crying did him no good; he still got his licking---5 good swats on each hand from Sandy who wielded her strap with authority though she weighed but 90 pounds. And Palosaari being the oldest didn’t help his cause with the rest of us.

Pete, Joffee and I started to snicker silently and then began to laugh out loud when we could no longer suppress our smug glee. Here’s an “old guy” bawling—we didn’t see that happen too often.

As a result, Sandy doubled up on us, and I think we had to stay after school while Palosaari got to go home.

It was worth it. And I can’t help wonder what happened to the strap, only that it had a long, illustrious history at the Charles Briggs School.


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