A Sixteen-Year-Old Boarding School Student Cannot Afford To Come Home In 1932 – “Don’t Think Anything Is Wrong It Is Only The Depression”

ALS. 2pgs. February 2, 1932. Lyndon Center, Vermont. An autograph letter signed “Arthur Merrill Oliver Smith” and addressed to his parents. Writing during the Great Depression, Smith, who was probably a student at the Lyndon Institute boarding school, regrets that he cannot come home for the weekend due to a lack of money but instructs his parents not to send more on his behalf: “Dear Mother and Dad, I had a dandy little day, or as dandy as could be expected in a place like this. I got a spauling of sixteen apiece and that was just about 160 whacks too much. I am going to tell you that I am sorry that I will have to stay up here over the weekend because my financial standing is not to allow me to come home but don’t think anything is wrong it is only the depression and I will be able to make arrangements to stay here because one of my pals is staying here and I can stay with him. Don’t send me any more money to come home on because I’ll see if I can help out by not spending any more money than I have to. Write again soon and tell me what you think of it. I have paid all my bills and I will be able to make out O.K. Write soon. Much Love Your 16 yr old Son Arthur Merrill Oliver Smith (Amos) (Budge) (Smith)”. A touching little anecdote showing how the Great Depression affected people of all ages and statuses. The letter is in fine condition.