Mr. Ramsdell thinks he can get us positions
with the Mentor Construction Company of Philadelphia, who are now
doing a good deal of work in Texas--laying out railroads and building
bridges."

"In Texas? Say! that's quite a distance from here."

"So it is, Ben. But it is not as far as I expect to get some day. If I
ever make anything of civil engineering I hope some day to be able to
do some great work in other parts of the world--maybe in Mexico or
South America."

"Say, that will be great!" cried Ben, enthusiastically. "You'll have
a fine chance to see the world. You must take after your uncle, Dave.
He was always a great fellow to travel. Think of how you located him
years ago away down on that island in the South Seas!"

"It sure was a great trip! And some day I'd like to take it over
again. But just now I've got to put in all my time on this civil
engineering proposition. I think I'll be lucky if I pass and get that
chance to go to Texas."

CHAPTER IV

WARD PORTON AGAIN

A quarter of an hour later the girls had finished their shopping and
rejoined the boys. Then it was decided that the party should go on to
Clayton, six miles farther. They were told that the road was in
excellent condition, and this proved to be a fact, so that the
sleighing was thoroughly enjoyed.

It was growing dark when they drove down the main street of Clayton,
and, although a bit early, all agreed to Dave's suggestion that they
get dinner at the leading restaurant--a place at which they had
stopped a number of times and which they knew to be first-class.

"What a pity Roger couldn't come along," said Jessie to Dave just
before sitting down to the sumptuous meal which the boys had ordered.
"I know he would have enjoyed this very much."

"No doubt of it, Jessie," answered Dave, who well knew what a fondness
for his sister the senator's son possessed. "But, as you know, Roger
had to go home on a business matter for his father. Senator Morr is
very busy in Washington these days, so Roger has to take care of
quite a few matters at home."

"Isn't it queer that he doesn't want to follow in the footsteps of his
father and take up politics?" went on the girl.

"Senator Morr didn't want him to do it. And, besides, Roger has no
taste that way. He loves civil engineering just as much as I do."

"It's a wonder you and he didn't persuade Phil Lawrence to take it up,
too, Dave."

"Oh, Phil couldn't do that. You know his father's s