Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Charles D. Tenney
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Charles D. Tenney
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Charles D. Tenney
Description
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Charles D. Tenney about the Li Chien Luan. States he also received a cablegram from Li's father. Is surprised by the decision and the delay in the decision. Hopes Li doesn't have a hard time adjusting due to chaos of the fall term. Willing to act as Li's guardian, though believes Tenney would be better choice.
Transcription
Charles D. Tenney
86 Buckingham Street
Cambridge, Mass.
Dear Dr. Tenney:
I have just received your letter of the 12th inst. This morning I also received a cable message apparently from Mr.Li’s father, advising me of his wish to have the boy enter Philips Academy. The boy himself appeared later and said that he would be prepared to begin his work here by the end of the current week.
The final decision comes to me as a good deal of a surprise. Since my earlier correspondence with you I had seen or heard nothing of the boy and had made up my mind that he had not been able to secure his father’s consent as he had hoped, and that as a result he had returned to Amherst or had taken up his work somewhere else with your approval. I do not quite understand the reason for the delay, unless his father wished to hear from you as well as from the boy before making a definite decision. My fear is that the unsettled condition of the boy’s mind thus far this term will make it rather difficult for him to adjust himself to the work of our classes here, but I am hopeful that his natural ability may make it possible for him to overcome his handicap.
If it is your wish I shall be glad to act as the boy’s guardian as you have suggested, though your experiences in handling the funds of various Chinese boys. And your knowledge of their tastes, would naturally render you a more satisfactory guardian of the funds than I could hope to be. I do wish, however, to shirk any responsibility in the matter, or to burden your unduly with the affairs of boys not directly in your charge. Please feel free therefore to follow your own best judgement in this matter.
Very sincerely yours.
Alfred E.Stearns
Principal
86 Buckingham Street
Cambridge, Mass.
Dear Dr. Tenney:
I have just received your letter of the 12th inst. This morning I also received a cable message apparently from Mr.Li’s father, advising me of his wish to have the boy enter Philips Academy. The boy himself appeared later and said that he would be prepared to begin his work here by the end of the current week.
The final decision comes to me as a good deal of a surprise. Since my earlier correspondence with you I had seen or heard nothing of the boy and had made up my mind that he had not been able to secure his father’s consent as he had hoped, and that as a result he had returned to Amherst or had taken up his work somewhere else with your approval. I do not quite understand the reason for the delay, unless his father wished to hear from you as well as from the boy before making a definite decision. My fear is that the unsettled condition of the boy’s mind thus far this term will make it rather difficult for him to adjust himself to the work of our classes here, but I am hopeful that his natural ability may make it possible for him to overcome his handicap.
If it is your wish I shall be glad to act as the boy’s guardian as you have suggested, though your experiences in handling the funds of various Chinese boys. And your knowledge of their tastes, would naturally render you a more satisfactory guardian of the funds than I could hope to be. I do wish, however, to shirk any responsibility in the matter, or to burden your unduly with the affairs of boys not directly in your charge. Please feel free therefore to follow your own best judgement in this matter.
Very sincerely yours.
Alfred E.Stearns
Principal
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence