"There is one thing I've forgotten to mention to you," said Phil, as the train rolled on its way and Crumville was left far behind. "That is that this term Doctor Clay has offered a special set of prizes to the students standing highest in various subjects. There is a prize for history, another for Latin, and a third for English literature and theme-writing. In addition there is to be a special prize for the student who can write the best paper on 'The Past and Future of our Country.' This last contest is open only to those who stand above the eighty per cent. level in their classes."
"That's interesting," answered Dave. "How many reach that level, do you think, Phil?"
"Not more than thirty all told, and of those I don't believe more than twenty will send in papers."
"Dave, you ought to try," said Roger. "You were always good at composition."
"So are you, Roger."
"I'm not as good as you, and I know it. I like history more than anything else, and I guess I'll try for that prize."
"Well, what is the past of our country but history?" continued Dave, with a smile.
"That part might be easy; but what of the future? I'm no good at prophesying."
"Oh, couldn't you speak of the recent inventions and of what is coming—marvelous submarine boats, airships, wireless telegraphy, wonderful cures by means of up-to-date surgery, and then of the big cities of the West, of the new railroads stretching out everywhere, and of the fast ocean liners, and the Panama Canal, and the irrigation of the Western dry lands, and——"
"Hold on, Dave!" cried Phil. "You are giving Roger all your ammunition. Put that in your own paper."