The High School Captain of the Team | Page 5

for the job, then I
haven't made good to a sufficient extent to be allowed to carry off the
honors in a satchel."
"That's my idea, Darrin," answered Dick. "I believe you have made
good, and so good at that, that I'm going to dodge any charge of
favoritism, and leave it to others to see that you're forced to take what
you deserve."
"Of course I want to play this season, and I'm training hard to be at my
best," said Reade. "Yet when it's all over, and we've won every game,
good old Gridley style, I shall feel mighty happy."
"Yes," nodded Harry Hazelton, "and the same thing here."
"That's because you two are not only attending High School, but also
trying to blaze out your future path in life," laughed Dave.
"Well, the rest of you fellows had better be serious about your careers
in life," urged Tom. "It isn't every pair of fellows, of course, who've
been as fortunate as Harry and I."
"No; and all fellows can't be suited by the same chances, which is a
good thing," replied Prescott. "For my part, I wouldn't find much of any
cheer in the thought that I was going to be allowed to carry a transit, a
chain or a leveler's rod through life."

"Well, we don't expect to be working in the baggage department of our
profession forever," protested Harry Hazelton, with so much warmth
that Dave Darrin chuckled.
Tom and Harry had decided that civil or railroad engineering, or both,
perhaps, combined with some bridge building, offered them their best
chances of pleasant employment in life.
Mr. Appleton, a local civil engineer with whom the pair had talked had
offered to take them into his office for preliminary training. because at
the High School, Tom and Harry had already qualified in the
mathematical work necessary for a start.
No practicing civil engineer in these days feels that he has the time or
the inclination to take a beginner into his office and teach him all of the
work from the ground up. On the other hand, a boy who has been
grounded well in algebra, geometry and trigonometry may then easily
enter the office of a practicing civil engineer and begin with the tools of
the profession. Transit manipulation and readings, the use of the
plummet line, the level, compass, rod, chain and staking work may all
be learned thus and a knowledge of map drawing imparted to a boy
who has a natural talent for the work.
It undoubtedly is better for the High School boy to go to a technical
school for his course in civil engineering; yet with a foundation of
mathematics and a sufficient amount of determination, the High School
boy may go direct to the engineer's office and pick up his profession.
Boys have done this, and have afterwards reached honors in their
profession.
So Tom and Harry had their future picked out, as they saw it. As soon
as they had learned enough of the rudiments, both were resolved to go
out to the far West, and there to pick up more, much more, right in the
camps of engineers engaged in surveying and laying railroads.
"You fellows can talk about us going to work in the baggage
department of our profession," pursued Tom Meade, a slight flush on
his manly face. "But, Dick, you and Dave are in the dream department,

for you fellows have only a hazy notion that---perhaps---you may be
able to work your way into the government academies at West Point
and Annapolis. As for Greg and Dan, they don't appear to have even a
dream of what they hope to do in future."
"You fellows haven't been spreading the news that Dave and I want to
go to Annapolis and West Point, have you!" asked Dick seriously.
"Now, what do you take us for?" protested Tom indignantly "Don't we
understand well enough that you're both trying to keep it close secret?"
As the young men turned into Main Street the merry laughter of a
group of girls came to their ears.
Four of the High School girls of the senior class had stopped to chat for
a moment.
Laura Bentley and Belle Meade were there, and both turned quickly to
note Dick and Dave. The other girls in the group were Faith Kendall
and Jessie Vance.
"Here comes the captain who is going to spoil all of Gridley a chances
this year," laughed Miss Vance.
"Hush, Jess," reproved Belle, while Laura looked much annoyed.
I see you have a wholly just appreciation of my merits, Miss Jessie,"
smiled Dick, as the boys raised their hats.
"Oh, what I said is nothing but the silly talk of him Dra-----" began
Jessie lightly, but stopped when she again