Rockwell Keeney Jr 1934 Handwritten Letters

Will you be coming home on the afternoon or evening of the 16th. The Central Prom is on the 16th & I want to know whether to make arrangements or not. Please inform.

Rock [underlined]

Phillips Academy Andover, Mass Sept [28?], 1933

Dear Folks:

I realize I am writing off the chosen schedule but you will have to pardon it until I get into my routine. My last letter may have sounded a bit pessimistic -- in fact I don't rember [remember] just what I did say -- but things are turning for the better. You asked about my schedule of studies. The only blot on that is having [Mr.?] Tower again, this time for trig & advanced algebra. He's so dry one feels thirsty upon leaving class. However it gives me an extra hours sleep during the day. Everything else worked out fine, even German which I know I'm going to like.

My status at the Beanery improved the day I sent the other letter. Upon the absence of a capable Upper [Middler?], I was given the job of assistant to Bill Harding. It was only a temporary appointment but if my luck holds out I'll keep the job permanently. I feel guilty getting paid for the little I have to do. Bill and I have more fun than work, and just stand around to see that order is perserved and things run along smoothly. But I suppose there always has to be someone to leave and others to follow.

About my room mate, Fred [Capers?], there is not much to say, except that he is a dandy fellow

and we get along very well together.

You didn't ask about my athletic activities, but I am sure this doesn't mean that you aren't interested. I have been working out regularly with the first team on the soccer field. We got our uniforms today and I expect the final cut will be made tomorrow. I have high hopes of continuing, or at least alternating, in the position of center forward. I shrink to think that I would have to fill the shoes of last years captain, one of the best players here for a long time.

The scholarship is no [fake?] -- at least I found out that I have a regular tuition scholarship besides.

I have heard nothing officially from P.A.C. and have not asked Bill what happened, but to-night I accepted a hold off from A.U.V. What will come of it I do not know.

It might interest you to know that [Ray?] did not pass his exams which was to be expected. I don't see much of George Homer, but he goes around with Ray a lot. Send me the pictures if they are any good. If you are thinking of a couch cover, my bed is more of a cot 3 1/2 ft x 6 ft. I just wanted to mention these figures. Also, if you can get electric chord [cord] for less than 3¢ a foot get about ten ft. for a lamp we bought. I am preparing a list of items which I will need if you come up next month.

Rocky [underlined]

Oct 12 1933

Dear Mother and Dad:

As I start this I can't think of much that I have to tell you The soccer game Saturday was a great disappointment to all except the [?] team as we lost the game 4 - 0 I was one of the few that played the whole game but it didn't do us much good. They outplayed us in just about every point, but it served to spur us on to further efforts. Jim has since changed the team all around, but I am still sure of a position. Yesterday we were out practicing from 1:20 to 5:00 I was running for about three hours and it certainly tired me out, but I was not alone in my misery

We won the football game with the Harvard [Fresh?] 7 - 0 It was a great game the touch down being made on an 80 yd run after an intercepted pass. The soccer game was over in time for us to see all except the first quarter.

It must have been wonderful driving up through the mountains, and I certainly would like to go sometime. Perhaps I'll hike up there next year.

I'm working hard on my studies, and I'm getting along well in at least two of them, Trig + German. I haven't had any marks to judge by in the others.

Please inform on conditions of dog and rest of family. I'll probably continue to write on Thursday as I don't have any classes to prepare.

Rocky

(*) Thursday Eve Oct. 26, 1933 Phillips Academy Andover Mass.

Dear Mother and Dad:

It grieved me much to learn that you would have some to Worcester if you had known earlier. It neve entered my head that you might have come. We had a dandy time even for so short a visit, which was made much more enjoyable by a 2 to 1 victory. I tied to get in touch with Frank or Helen, but with no success. We left Andover by bus at 9:15 Sat accompanied by Jim Ryley and Georgie Hinman. It was comparatively quiet going down. We bought a big box of apples and munched away for amusement. One fellow poked his elbow through a window but that's a minor detail. Got to the Academy about 11:30, nosed around a bit, ate lunch at 12:00, nosed around some more, and went down to the field about 1:30. The game was hard fought throughout especially during the second half when we were fighting to retain our lead. You can read all about it in the "Phillipian". The victory completely changed the spirit of the squad and there was noise continually from then on. We dressed, watched part of the Worcester Fresh Academy - Harvard Fresh football game, and went downtown to see "Footlight Parade". Most of us ate in Worcester, and then left for home at 7:30. We had a great time singing on the bus. Several of the glee club were along and we sang continually from Worcester until we stopped for refreshments about an hour & a quarter afterwards. Georgie Hinman showed the good