The Rubys do not subscribe to any newspaper.
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The school board often met in Boden's office or in a convenient classroom. Expecting a large attendance, Boden chose the auditorium for this occasion. Seated on stage behind individual desks, the board members would gain presence, while those addressing the board would speak from a lower level or climb steps to a rostrum.
The auditorium's doors opened directly onto the school lobby and provided convenient access without the necessity of trampling through the school corridors, a feature appreciated by the janitorial staff.
Ambrose Hardy arrived early to "redd up" the hall in preparation for the meeting. The head custodian usually delegated school board activities to his subordinates, but this meeting rated his personal attention and he was not averse to having his hard-working presence noted by his superiors.
When old Hardy arrived he found the auditorium already streaming alleys of light as Boden muscled desks into position. Hardy wished Boden would stay out of his end of things but without comment, he pitched in to set everything right.
He noted only five desks on the platform and surmised that some board members would be absent. Hardy doubted it would make much difference. Most of the fireworks would come out of the audience anyway.
Because he expected the board would retire to privacy in executive session when reaching their decisions, Boden unlocked the door of a classroom just off the auditorium. In his own office he lifted the phone from its hook and listened for a dial tone. Then he thumbed through the telephone book until he located the number of the Duncannon State Police sub-station. Using his felt tip pen, he wrote the number in large block figures on the desk's green blotter. He felt a little more prepared.
Satisfied with his arrangements, Boden checked the time and found a strong half hour before the meeting would convene but only a few minutes until spectators and participants could be expected. He adjusted his jacket and placed himself near the door to greet and direct board members to their seats.
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The cars took a long time to clear Rubyland. Their lights traveling down the valleys made a lengthy and impressive convoy. The women delegated to mind the offspring watched the departure, and then drifted off to their duties aware of a rarely experienced silence hanging over the jumbled trailers, buses, and block homes. The quiet left them feeling exposed and they hurried inside to the security of children and the constantly running television sets.
Ben Troop entered the Newport Square in time to watch the Ruby cavalcade roll through. The cars hung close together, moving slowly, as if in a funeral procession. Car windows were open but they rolled in heavy silence.
Al Gold caught up with Troop a block past the square. They fell easily into step and walked for a minute without speaking. "You planning to use that stick on somebody, Ben?"
Troop tossed the length of broom handle in a quick swirl, catching it again smartly in his palm. "Ever see what a trained man can do with a stick like this, Al?"
"You think that thing would be any help against the Rubys? Christ, Ben, they'll come at you with rocks, bottles, and pick handles!"
"If they do, I'll hit them with my little stick."
"Ben, what in hell would you do if about five of them jumped out of that alley right now?"
"I'd quickly analyze the situation. I would assume a well-balanced stance, then I would run like hell."
"Well, I'm glad you've got that much sense anyway. It could happen you know. They're crazy bastards! One thing, Ben, when you start running, move it. I don't want you clogging up the road when I start through.
"Look, Ben, I've got to take my kid up to Millerstown, but I'll be back before the fireworks."
"Sure, Gold, own up. You're just fleeing town."
As they crossed an intersection, Linda O'Day and her husband drove past heading in the opposite direction. She waved casually to the teachers and her husband nodded recognition.
"Guess Lin won't be there tonight."
"Probably going out to supper."
"Yeah, still, the more school people show interest, the better chance of the board going our way."
"My way, you mean."
"Ok, your way, but if they toss you to the dogs, it will be rougher on all of us. Christ, some of those kids will think there's an open season on teachers."
"You'll handle them, Al."
"Sure we'll handle them! But it'll be rugged going. You saw those Rubys coming through town?"
"Yeah, mean looking bunch."
"Like something out of an old mafia movie. Big old Buicks and everybody looking grim. Jesus, enough to give you the willies.
But, what the hell. Like you said, it's all yours. Those Rubys aren't after me, I'm happy to say."
"You'll be right there at my side though won't you, old pal?"
"Well, let's say I'll be around somewhere. You've got my moral support."
"Thanks, Gold. I feel a hell of a lot more secure now."
They walked a few steps silently reflecting.
"Awful lot of speculation about you, Ben."
"It's nice to know that people care,"
"Yeah, ain't it!"
"Can't you talk no better, Al?"
"Well, when I'm traveling with the town ruffian I fall into crudities."
"Is that how the town's got me pegged?"
"More or less. Some of them are out to stretch your hide, that's for sure."
They walked on, each lost in his own thoughts until Gold said, "Ben, what are your plans? I mean, if everything goes to hell tonight, or in the near future, for that matter. Suppose the board gets nasty or asks for your resignation or something?"
Troop thought about it for a moment. "Well, I'll give them the resignation. I wouldn't stay on where I wasn't wanted. The board represents the people, Al. If they say 'out,' then out it is. Boden would give me a good referral. It's been in my mind to wander back up to Alaska and teach there."
"What about your place here?"
"It would rent, I think. Might even make a buck on it.
"Anyway, it would give me a place to come back to. Perry County will always be my home, Al."
"I'd sure hate to see you go."
"You'd get by somehow."
They stopped without realizing it, both taken aback by the large number of cars parked around the school ground. The Rubys had parked together, lining their vehicles to one side of the school lot. Perhaps instinctively, everyone else had parked on the opposite side leaving a long, empty lane through the middle.
"Must be something going on, Ben."
"If all those Rubys are after me, you'll be sure to give me swinging room, won't you, Al?"
"If all those Rubys start moving in, it'll be running room you'll be looking for, Troop."
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The board secretary and Doctor Shanks had arrived together. Boden hustled Mrs. Grissan to her desk and they discussed procedures for the scheduled activities. Slightly out of breath, the secretary nodded to Boden's comments.
Bill Blue drifted into the auditorium wearing his profession. For business occasions Blue adopted a serious, benignly frowning mien that he believed lent him an air of slightly jaded but experienced competence. He of course wore his press hat, which was an old felt snap-brim that he considered both lucky and informally appropriate for his role as inquiring reporter. He spoke shortly to an acquaintance, chose an aisle seat where his attendance could be noted and began recording impressions on his note pad.
Blue had contacted his man in the city on this one and was sure he had a winner. The big paper was interested. Assault on a student was good copy. Any fireworks at all would give him a by-line column. He wished the Newport Times had a regular photographer. With the Ruby bunch present, fighting could erupt and a few action shots would clinch the story.
Quickly he jotted reminders of a confident appearing school administration, an uneasy school board, and a sullen, but determined, Ruby aggregation.
The Rubys turned h
is blood a little cold. Their antagonism hung over the room adding a sense of foreboding to the proceedings. Blue found his sympathies for Ben Troop quickening.
Troop entered quietly, but all eyes turned in his direction and Boden nodded encouragement as Ben found a seat.
Boden greeted Earl Roebuck at the door and introduced him to the board as Tom Ruby's representative, a board member named Miller greeted Roebuck with unnecessary enthusiasm and Roebuck sensed a chink in the Newport school system's solidarity.
If superintendent Boden had a thorn under his nail, it was Charles Miller. The man was a chronic obstructionist. An unrelenting faultfinder, Miller was a vigorous backer of losing causes and a firm supporter of untenable positions. Board member Harry Meyers had once remarked, "If I ever found myself on the same side as Charlie Miller, I'd automatically accept that I must be wrong."
David Campbell entered the hall just before the meeting got under way. Boden, Hightower, and Troop immediately recognized him. Their feelings were mixed. While all were surprised by his presence, Boden and Troop were genuinely pleased to see the man.
Hightower was less so. By his attendance, the executive secretary elect indicated high level interest in a case Hightower had given only marginal and almost reluctant support. The local representative could not imagine what had brought a man of Campbell's stature to an incident of such minor significance.
He was further dismayed when Campbell strode to the front of the room to seat himself beside Ben Troop, clap him warmly on the shoulder, and exchange a handshake full of shared goodwill. Hightower experienced awe at Troop's ability to come up with a big play when it was needed.
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Sylvester Drum had surveyed the rapidly filling auditorium with trepidation and decided a few special words were going to be necessary. He stood for a moment and let some of the noise subside, then rapped his gavel on the single rostrum to gain further attention. He felt acutely self-conscious under the scrutiny of so large a body of citizenry.
"I'd like to welcome you ladies and gentlemen to this meeting." He allowed his audience to examine him for a moment. "The Newport School Board normally meets once each month. Occasionally, however, as now, a special meeting is called to deal with a particular situation."
Sylvester had to pause again, this time to organize his own words. "For those of you who are unfamiliar with board procedures, I would like to outline how we conduct our meetings.
"We meet in as informal a manner as possible. Because we are a small board, we are able to dispense with most parliamentary procedures and attend to the business at hand. Likewise, we are not a court of law and rules of evidence or courtroom procedures do not apply here. So, we listen and discuss, and try to arrive at satisfactory decisions."
Sylvester wanted badly to stop there but knew other points had to be made. Again sensing a rising flush, he continued in his strongest voice.
"Occasionally, the board is faced with a situation so emotionally charged that a meeting becomes unruly. Such lack of decorum is not tolerated. To prevent disturbances at this meeting we have asked Chief Morrison to act as sergeant-at-arms and to remove any disorderly individuals at the board's request. The board has further means of preventing disruption. Although we prefer open, public meeting, the board may withdraw into executive session, which, in effect, removes all spectators and allows in attendance only those so designated by the board. In plain words, we will clear the hall and proceed without disturbance."
Sylvester Drum resumed his seat and heaved his bulk into a comfortable position. Settled, he turned to each board member and received their affirmative nods. Self-consciously, he struck his gavel and said, "Board's in session. Mr. Boden, you have business to present before this meeting?"
Boden rose to his feet, inspected his notes amid a pregnant silence, and addressed himself to the board.
"President Drum, members of the School Board: I have requested this special meeting to address a school incident which, in my opinion, should be settled with dispatch.
"Undoubtedly we are all aware of the tension and ill will that can develop in a community such as ours if rumor or indecision is allowed to dominate an incident considered sensitive by the citizenry.
"To forestall divisive misunderstandings and polarization of pro and con groups concerned with the current difficulty, I have asked the board to meet and resolve the situation I am about to introduce."
Earl Roebuck found himself enjoying Boden's presentation. He doubted many of the spectators understood what in hell Boden said and realized that such was the superintendent's intent. The battle being joined would best be handled with minimum spectator interference and Boden was obviously leading in that direction. So far, the Rubys had sat in silence. Their legal representative hoped they would remain so. Roebuck wanted no part of a melee involving the Ruby clan. He would have welcomed the sight of a few large state policemen rather than the Newport police chief's lonesome form slouched on a seat at the back of the auditorium.
Boden continued, "In essence, this situation is simple and should cause no special concern. The case is basically one of a student physically attacking a teacher who found it necessary to defend himself against that attack.
"However, in this instance the attacker, the student, was seriously injured by the defending teacher. Speculation, rumors, and misinformation have already riddled the community. Immediate clarification is necessary before irresponsible elements join with the less stable citizenry to inundate the school administration, and probably the school board members, with phone calls and petitions concerning a matter about which they know little."
Boden again paused to move to a position more directly in front of the board, as though to further restrict spectator participation.
Again Roebuck had to grin to himself. Boden's put down of those about to offer petitions was sweet as honey, unless you were on the receiving end.
Not for the first time Roebuck wondered if he was on the right side. He certainly had no doubts that Ben Troop had been attacked by the Ruby boy and his short meeting with Troop had shown him a competent and likable man. It was equally apparent that the Rubys were a wild and uncontrollable tribe who lived by gut reaction rather than lucid reasoning. He found himself sighing. As defender of the downtrodden, he seemed regularly involved with the sweaty side of humanity. So be it. He would do his job, but he hoped the Rubys kept their cool while he was doing it.
Boden continued, "On Friday afternoon, this week, during a class of world history conducted by Mr. Ben Troop, Tom Ruby, a student in that class, attempted to strike Mr. Troop and was himself struck. He received a broken jaw and nose.
"Such incidents can be knotty to resolve because of the tensions involved and the quickness of the actions. Therefore, I have gone to some length to determine the facts and have obtained statements from those involved to support the explanation I am about to give.
"Tom Ruby has been a problem student for some years. He has been regularly referred to my office for minor disciplinary actions. A continual stream of teacher complaints have been forwarded to me concerning this young man.
"During the current year, both Mr. Troop and I have actively sought to counsel Tom and improve his school related attitudes. He resisted all advice and persisted in creating disruptive situations. He engaged in a sort of passive resistance toward any efforts to guide or encourage a more responsive attitude.
"Mr. Troop and I met on a number of occasions and discussed the situation. We suggested course changes to Tom Ruby that would have, in our opinion, eased the road for him. These course changes included a transfer from Mr. Troop's history class. Tom rejected our suggestions.
"On the day of the incident, Tom Ruby began a series of rather overused but still disruptive actions in his history class. Specifically, he yawned, coughed, and belched. He was spoken to sharply by Mr. Troop following the belching incident."
Boden found it necessary to pause and gather his composure before proceeding.
"
It is necessary to speak plainly in this matter. Therefore, with some reluctance I describe Tom Ruby's final classroom travesty as breaking wind in a decidedly noisy manner."
There was embarrassed silence in the room. A Ruby leaned across to Eberson and asked, "What'd he say old Tom did?"
Eberson's voice rang loud in the silence. "He said Tom farted!"
Gales of laughter exploded from the Ruby camp; hands cracked on knees and elbows jammed adjoining ribs. Cries of "Man, that old Tom" rang and a few of the inevitable Ruby hoots arose.
Earl Roebuck cringed a little, but sat there struggling to appear professionally involved and undismayed by his clients' booming vulgarity.
The Rubys appeared totally unaware of the heavy silence and weighty displeasure holding forth elsewhere in the auditorium. The ladies' petitioning group huddled together showing obvious mortification. Most spectators stared stonily ahead.
Boden turned to look coldly at the Ruby faction and waited until their laughter had fallen to an occasional appreciative chuckle. Then he continued.
"At this point, Mr. Troop approached Tom Ruby ordering him to stand up. Tom leaped to his feet and struck twice at Mr. Troop who in self-defense struck twice at Tom Ruby. Both of Tom Ruby's blows missed; both of Mr. Troop's blows landed. The first, we believe, shattered Tom's jaw along the right side, removed two teeth and damaged several others. The second blow landed on Tom's nose, breaking and flattening it."
A rumble of voices rose throughout the room. As everyone seemed to need a moment to digest the effect of the blows, Boden nodded to Sylvester Drum and waited patiently until the room again grew quiet.
"Tom was taken by car to Doctor Shanks' office where he received treatment prior to travel by ambulance to the Polyclinic Hospital where he is now a patient."
Boden moved back to his desk, giving the board secretary a moment to catch up on her notes. Then grasping a thick stack of papers, he resumed his position before the board.
"I have in my hand statements from students in Mr. Troop's history class, chosen at random, detailing their observations of the actions I have just described. I also have Mr. Troop's declaration of the same events. All statements agree without significant variation." Boden handed the statements to Sylvester Drum who examined them as Boden continued.
The Didactor Page 18
