Date: January 7, 1892
Location: Amherst, MA
(Original source available here)
My Dear Father:—
I am feeling better than I was last night, begin to feel at home some now.
I only had one recitation to day as a great many of the boys had back work to make up I am glad I did not have any.
I have the chance to go into the highest division in mathematics two men in my class had a better paper the last exam. than I did, I am glad to be so successful for I know it will be a pleasure to you but I am going to stay in the second division as the first does more work than I feel that I want to do and it worries me to be behind much and I can get more to do thorough work in the second than poor in the first All it amounts to any way is those in the first can compete for a $50 prize which it is useless for me to try to get.
I want to do careful work but many men in my class have strength, preparation, inclination and ability to do much more than myself.
You and Mother write as often as possible
Much Love
J. Calvin
Citation: Your Son, Calvin Coolidge
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Marisol Balderas, who prepared this document for digital publication