Rockwell Keeney Jr 1934 Handwritten Letters

Phillips Academy Andover, Mass April 30, 1933

Dear Mother & Dad:

I haven't time to write much this morning because at present I am swamped with work. The rating? is far off and everything seems to have come on all of a sudden. I got 89 on my physics exam las week and was second in the class with an average of 61 for the exam. The history prize exam is going to be held in a few weeks and, although I haven't much chance of coming out on top I am going to study for it. I have decided to take my college boards at home instead of up here. We get out of school on Wednesday & my first exam isn't until the following Tuesday. It will be more convenient, I think at home and I'll get just as much studying done.

Baseball has been going on as usual, not much action for me. We lost to the Harvard Jayvees yesterday [15?]-4. Almost everybody except our first string pitcher pitched. Won the track meet by a pretty large score, I think. I guess I'll quote give you some lengthened excerpts from my diary, just to fill up space.

Sun: Had a long "bull session" on religion which lasted from 9:30 until 11:00. It included most of the time ten fellows and Mr. Heely.

Tues: Put too much weight on one side of my seat in geometry class and broke it clean off from the base. [Dr?] Tower didn't even crack a smile.

Wed: Visitied the art gallery for the all by myself this

morning but failed to get the inspiration or whatever you are supposed to get. Slept out on the fire escape for the first time.

Thurs: Mr. Heely had a big party tonight and we all played [backbuck?] in the top hall for about an hour when I should have been studying.

Sat: Had "Madchen in Uniform" for the movie. All the talking was in German with brief English notes written in at the bottom. About six of us sang out on the fire escape when we got back, Mr. Heely being out and having nothing else to do.

Sun. Monty Cochran & I, after sleeping all night on the fire escape, got up at seven, and ran down to Pomp's and took a refreshing dip in the cold water.

Hoping that I have given you the desired information, I remain -- at Andover.

Rocky

P.S: -- The weekly laundry box gifts are fully appreciated. May no domestic difficulties interfere. I have a [torn?] sweatshirt that I left home. Will you please send it. One of the fellows broke the glass jar you sent. If it isn't too much bother, to get another and send it. I'll send the money in my laundry.

94 92 91 87 ------ 273 87 ------ 360

May 7, 1933 Phillips Academy Andover, Mass.

Dear Mother and Dad:

This last week had been the businest since I came back this term; so busy, in fact, that I haven't made any entrances in my diary. The rating is next Wednesday and I have had all my rating exams this week. I studied plenty hard and cracked them all: History 94 ; Geometry 92 ; Physics 89 & 85. I haven't got my English exam back yet but I think I did pretty well. He gave us 16 major topics [on the life of Johnson] [inserted] to learn thoroughly. He said he was going to give us one of these topics to count 75% and our special topic. I studied 2 topics thoroughly and got one of them on the exam.

[I?] think it would be well to have Dr. Hurlbut work on my teeth this summer. I could get down from camp easily enough, I think. About my face -- You might get some of that stuff if it doesn't cost too much and isn't much bother. My face isn't too bad. The pimples come and go. I have been using regul good face soap on it pretty regularly & have been keeping it good and clean. I would like to have you come up some day, if possible. Wednesday would be the best day if hyou could make it, otherwise Sunday. We could have a picnic lunch if that would be agreeable to you. There isn't much chance of me playing any baseball this year. I haven't had

experience to speak of and I'm really not much good. This morning four of us went down to Pomp's for a swim. The water was good if you didn't stay in to [too] long. Last night I got caught up on the sleep I missed all last week and feel pretty good right now. That was certainly a fine letter of John's. I wish I had more time to write him. That's all for now.

Rock

P.S -- I almost forgot to mention the cookies you sent. I just finished them this morning. Hereafter if I do forget to mention what you send, don't think it isn't appreciated.

I might add too that I am going to room next year with Tom Campion, senior council member for next year, circulation manager of the Phillipian, K.O.A., [rarely?] defeated [for?] football manager, baseball squad at about my rank, good student, and good all around fellow. I think we will be able to get a double suite in Paul Revere; if not we'll probably get a double room in Foxcroft where [4 words darkly crossed out: all the big? ?] a dandy bunch of fellows will be rooming. It will be pretty nice either way.

In addition I'm a burned up from studying in the sun this afternoon.

May 19, 1933

My dear Mr. Keeney:

I regret to inform you that your son was in the infirmary with a severe headache and slight temperature probably [caused?] by the need of rest and relaxation, and not from resting on the ground at 1 P.M or the effects of any refreshments had in the course of Saturday evening.