Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. William Y.L. Shao, October 7, 1929
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. William Y.L. Shao, October 7, 1929
Subject
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Mr. William Y.L. Shao, October 7, 1929
Description
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to William Y.L. Shao. Had no knowledge K.Y. Tu has returned to Huntington School. Explains if Tu were to remain in the country, he was to find a position in some factory to prepare for a position in China. Believed Tu was wasting time and money at high school and should return to China, but followed instructions from Tu's father. Does not feel comfortable misusing money when education is not suited to K.Y. Tu.
Transcription
October 7, 1929
Mr. William Y. L. Shao
Soldiers Field
Boston, Massachusetts
My dear Mr. Shao:
I have your interesting letter of October 8, and appreciate very much your friendly interest in Mr.Tu.
I had not learned that Mr. Tu had gone back to the Huntingdon school, and your letter brings me the first intimation of this. The fact is that Tu practically never takes me into his confidence unless he is in trouble, and that is one of the chief reasons why I can’t extend to him the confidence and trust that I should like to and that I am regularly able to extend without reservation to my Chinese wards.
My last instructions from Tu’s father wore to the effect that if his son was to remain in this country, it was to be on the understanding that he was give up his high school studies, for which he is already far too old and secure a position in some factory like the Ford factory, suggested by the boy himself,- in order to prepare himself for a worth while position in China. I myself felt strongly that Tu had been wasting his time and his father’s money by staying on at a school like Huntington with boys years his junior, and though it was my belief that he ought to return to hie home, I consented to the father1 a suggestion that he be allowed to remain a bit longer if - and only if - he took such a position as I have mentioned above. Tu promised me that he would make every effort to secure such a position and that is the last word I have had from him. Under the circumstance, I am sure you will appreciate that I have a more heavy responsibility to the father than to the boy at this moment, and that I do not, therefore, feel justified in misusing further the father's money in order that Tu may continue work which both his father and I agree is not suited to him at his resent age and with his clear look of intellectual interest.
Very sincerely yours.
Mr. William Y. L. Shao
Soldiers Field
Boston, Massachusetts
My dear Mr. Shao:
I have your interesting letter of October 8, and appreciate very much your friendly interest in Mr.Tu.
I had not learned that Mr. Tu had gone back to the Huntingdon school, and your letter brings me the first intimation of this. The fact is that Tu practically never takes me into his confidence unless he is in trouble, and that is one of the chief reasons why I can’t extend to him the confidence and trust that I should like to and that I am regularly able to extend without reservation to my Chinese wards.
My last instructions from Tu’s father wore to the effect that if his son was to remain in this country, it was to be on the understanding that he was give up his high school studies, for which he is already far too old and secure a position in some factory like the Ford factory, suggested by the boy himself,- in order to prepare himself for a worth while position in China. I myself felt strongly that Tu had been wasting his time and his father’s money by staying on at a school like Huntington with boys years his junior, and though it was my belief that he ought to return to hie home, I consented to the father1 a suggestion that he be allowed to remain a bit longer if - and only if - he took such a position as I have mentioned above. Tu promised me that he would make every effort to secure such a position and that is the last word I have had from him. Under the circumstance, I am sure you will appreciate that I have a more heavy responsibility to the father than to the boy at this moment, and that I do not, therefore, feel justified in misusing further the father's money in order that Tu may continue work which both his father and I agree is not suited to him at his resent age and with his clear look of intellectual interest.
Very sincerely yours.
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
October 7, 1929
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence