TE,
Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

DEAR SIR:

Though I might present myself at your door, armed with one of
society's unfair skeleton-keys--a letter of introduction--I prefer
to approach you as I now do: simply as a young man who honestly
feels entitled to at least five minutes of your time, and as many
minutes more as you care to grant because of your interest in the
subject to be discussed.

I look to you at this time for your opinion as to the value of
some ideas of mine, and the feasibility of certain schemes based
on them.

A few months ago I talked with President Hadley of Yale, and
briefly outlined my plans. He admitted that many of them seemed
feasible and would, if carried out, add much to the sum-total of
human happiness. His only criticism was that they were "too
comprehensive."

Not until I have staggered an imagination of the highest type will
I admit that I am trying to do too much. Should you refuse to see
me, believe me when I tell you that you will still be, as you are
at this moment, the unconscious possessor of my sincere respect.

Business engagements necessitate my leaving here early on Monday
next. Should you care to communicate with me, word sent in care of
this hotel will reach me promptly.

Yours very truly,

CLIFFORD W. BEERS.

Within an hour I had received a reply, in which Mr. Choate said that he
would see me at his home at ten o'clock the next morning.

At the appointed time, the door, whose lock I had picked with a pen,
opened before me and I was ushered into the presence of Mr. Choate. He
was graciousness itself--but pointed significantly at a heap of
unanswered letters lying before him. I took the hint and within ten
minutes briefly outlined my plans. After pronouncing my project a
"commendable one," Mr. Choate offered the suggestion that produced
results. "If you will submit your ideas in writing," he said, "I shall
be glad to read your manuscript and assist you in any way I can. To
consider fully your scheme would require several hours, and busy men
cannot very well give you so much time. What they can do is to read
your manuscript during their leisure moments."

Thus it was that Mr. Choate, by granting the interview, contributed to
an earlier realization of my purposes. One week later I began the
composition of this book. My action was unpremeditated, as my quitting
Boston