Letter from Charles Sun, Amherst, Mass., to Alfred E. Stearns, March 23, 1928
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Charles Sun, Amherst, Mass., to Alfred E. Stearns, March 23, 1928
Subject
Letter from Charles Sun, Amherst, Mass., to Alfred E. Stearns, March 23, 1928
Transcription
Dear Dr. Stearns:
Your letter, Sir, worried me quite a bit, for I thought there is a possibility of not letting my father know of the matter. I wish so not because I am afraid of the consequences that will come to me but rather what effect it will have on my father. Ten years back my father would perhaps be very angery [sic] at my folly, but now that he is very old, he would probably feel very bad in that I have disobeyed by not asking your permission first before doing a thing. It will not anger him but it will make him heartbroken to hear that I, who have gradually gained his confidence for the last few years, should have done a thing as this. For this reason I prefer to keep the news secrete from him. As for the payment, I think I can manage it in time. Since the fellow driving was solely responsible for the accident, I have asked him to bear half of the expense, and I have written him in China. On the other hand, since I was a foolish enough owner to let him operate it, I should bear the other half. He, I am sure, will give me a fair deal; while I can meet my obligation by going to work this summer. This in short is what I believe should be done, but, of course, your judgment will be final; please let me know your feeling about it.
In talking about work this summer, I might ask your advice and permission right now. A friend of mine has recommended me a position to a camp in Vermont, where by being a leader I can receive my board and room free for the entire summer, that is, from June 23 to September 1. Judging from what experience of camp life I had in your camp and Long Lake Lodge, I feel that I might be qualified to take care of the boys, who range from six to thirteen years old. The name of the camp is "Abnaki", situated on Lake Champlain, Vermont and administrated solely by B.N. Clark of the Vermont State Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association. If you wish to know more of the camp, I can send you its catalogue.
Another matter which I like to take up with you now is my graduate work. A letter from my father recently has shattered all my hope of entering a military school. My father sent me an urging to foresake that line of profession, an urging that is equal to a forbiddance. But he gave me some good reasons for so doing as did you, Sir. My political science professor too, on hearing my intention, had tried to induce me to abandon the idea; he even gave me some information about Municipal Administration, which I told him was my second preference and which is not far from law, a thing that my father likes to have me take up. When I receive further information on the matter from New York, I shall write you again, and your advice will always be valued by me.
I received a very interesting letter from Quincy the other day. He is teaching at Kwang Hua University in Shanghai; next year he is going to give a course in comparative literature. The father of a former Andover boy by the name of S.L. Chang ’21, I think, is the President of this university, and T.Y. Lee P.A. ’23 and Amherst ’27 is teaching political science and history in the same place. It seems that Andover spirit may some day be manifested.
Your letter, Sir, worried me quite a bit, for I thought there is a possibility of not letting my father know of the matter. I wish so not because I am afraid of the consequences that will come to me but rather what effect it will have on my father. Ten years back my father would perhaps be very angery [sic] at my folly, but now that he is very old, he would probably feel very bad in that I have disobeyed by not asking your permission first before doing a thing. It will not anger him but it will make him heartbroken to hear that I, who have gradually gained his confidence for the last few years, should have done a thing as this. For this reason I prefer to keep the news secrete from him. As for the payment, I think I can manage it in time. Since the fellow driving was solely responsible for the accident, I have asked him to bear half of the expense, and I have written him in China. On the other hand, since I was a foolish enough owner to let him operate it, I should bear the other half. He, I am sure, will give me a fair deal; while I can meet my obligation by going to work this summer. This in short is what I believe should be done, but, of course, your judgment will be final; please let me know your feeling about it.
In talking about work this summer, I might ask your advice and permission right now. A friend of mine has recommended me a position to a camp in Vermont, where by being a leader I can receive my board and room free for the entire summer, that is, from June 23 to September 1. Judging from what experience of camp life I had in your camp and Long Lake Lodge, I feel that I might be qualified to take care of the boys, who range from six to thirteen years old. The name of the camp is "Abnaki", situated on Lake Champlain, Vermont and administrated solely by B.N. Clark of the Vermont State Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association. If you wish to know more of the camp, I can send you its catalogue.
Another matter which I like to take up with you now is my graduate work. A letter from my father recently has shattered all my hope of entering a military school. My father sent me an urging to foresake that line of profession, an urging that is equal to a forbiddance. But he gave me some good reasons for so doing as did you, Sir. My political science professor too, on hearing my intention, had tried to induce me to abandon the idea; he even gave me some information about Municipal Administration, which I told him was my second preference and which is not far from law, a thing that my father likes to have me take up. When I receive further information on the matter from New York, I shall write you again, and your advice will always be valued by me.
I received a very interesting letter from Quincy the other day. He is teaching at Kwang Hua University in Shanghai; next year he is going to give a course in comparative literature. The father of a former Andover boy by the name of S.L. Chang ’21, I think, is the President of this university, and T.Y. Lee P.A. ’23 and Amherst ’27 is teaching political science and history in the same place. It seems that Andover spirit may some day be manifested.
Creator
Charles Sun
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
March 23, 1928
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence