Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Thomas Sun, Middlebury, Vermont, August 26, 1930
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Thomas Sun, Middlebury, Vermont, August 26, 1930
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Thomas Sun, Middlebury, Vermont, August 26, 1930
Transcription
Dear Tom:
Your letter of August 11 reached me a few days ago while I was still at my camp at Connecticut Lake. I am in Andover for the day only and brought the letter here in order to dictate a reply. In the meantime, I have sent you as requested a check for two hundred dollars, though I did so with some reservations, as your expenses for recent weeks have mounted well above the limit which we had previously discussed and which I felt at the time was exceptionally generous.
Evidently the car is proving more expensive than anticipated by you. That's just about what I expected myself, for I have had some experience with cars, and know how rapidly the unlisted items mount when once a car is in operation. All I can say is that you will have to watch this item with the greatest care, for if the general annual expense gets beyond proper limits, I shall have to ask you to turn in the car for cash and go without something that is more or less of a luxury, as we both agreed. Your father certainly would not be willing to have you continue such an extra expense, and I myself am willing only because of the summer school arrangement and where I feel you would save by doing your summer studying in a place like Middlebury. I have not had a chance to check up your expense account in full as yet, but will do so shortly and will know better then where we stand and what we ought to provide for. You will have to be mighty careful, however, if you plan a trip that is going to take in all of your fraternity brothers around New Hampshire and Maine, and unless you can save enough to offset the extra expense through being entertained by them, I am sure the trip ought not to be taken. Anyway, it seems clear that you should sell the car before you go down to New Haven, as I should not be willing to sanction the present arrangement when you are living in a big city.
There is one item in your account which I do not understand, namely, "Mr. A.G. Hinman, postmaster, $28.00." Won't you please explain? Also please tell me why you had to add an expense of $34.00 for a rumble seat to the regular price of the car?
Sincerely yours,
Your letter of August 11 reached me a few days ago while I was still at my camp at Connecticut Lake. I am in Andover for the day only and brought the letter here in order to dictate a reply. In the meantime, I have sent you as requested a check for two hundred dollars, though I did so with some reservations, as your expenses for recent weeks have mounted well above the limit which we had previously discussed and which I felt at the time was exceptionally generous.
Evidently the car is proving more expensive than anticipated by you. That's just about what I expected myself, for I have had some experience with cars, and know how rapidly the unlisted items mount when once a car is in operation. All I can say is that you will have to watch this item with the greatest care, for if the general annual expense gets beyond proper limits, I shall have to ask you to turn in the car for cash and go without something that is more or less of a luxury, as we both agreed. Your father certainly would not be willing to have you continue such an extra expense, and I myself am willing only because of the summer school arrangement and where I feel you would save by doing your summer studying in a place like Middlebury. I have not had a chance to check up your expense account in full as yet, but will do so shortly and will know better then where we stand and what we ought to provide for. You will have to be mighty careful, however, if you plan a trip that is going to take in all of your fraternity brothers around New Hampshire and Maine, and unless you can save enough to offset the extra expense through being entertained by them, I am sure the trip ought not to be taken. Anyway, it seems clear that you should sell the car before you go down to New Haven, as I should not be willing to sanction the present arrangement when you are living in a big city.
There is one item in your account which I do not understand, namely, "Mr. A.G. Hinman, postmaster, $28.00." Won't you please explain? Also please tell me why you had to add an expense of $34.00 for a rumble seat to the regular price of the car?
Sincerely yours,
Creator
Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
August 26, 1930
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence