the oak
first, then, to put forth new leaves? It is said that the two trees
leafed at nearly the same time, both being backward owing to the cold
spring. But there is another version of the rhyme which gives the last
three words as 'souse and soak.'

* * * * *

Reading is the cheapest of all amusements, and the most lasting.

NOT GUILTY.

'Douglas, I want you.'

Douglas jumped up obediently from the kitchen floor, where he was
bathing a wound in his terrier's side. He followed his father into the
study, and Bully the terrier followed at his heels.

A red-faced man stood in the door, and Douglas guessed what was wrong.

'That's him,' almost shouted the visitor. Bully crept closer to Douglas'
side, and bared two teeth, for it was to him the farmer alluded.

'It wasn't,' said Douglas, and his face grew as red as if it were he who
was accused of some crime. 'He has been with me all the time. He has not
touched anything of yours.'

'He knows, you see, mister,' said the man slily, 'knows all about it
before a word's said. If that was my boy---- '

Douglas' father interrupted. 'A moment, please,' he said. 'Listen to me,
Douglas. Mr. Wilkins says that your dog and you, too, were in his yard a
few days ago. Is that so?'

'Yes, Father,' said Douglas, 'the cowboy threw mud at me, and I went
over to thrash him.'

'Trespassing,' said the farmer, 'and the lad rolled him in the mud for
his pains.'

'He is bigger than I, a lot,' said Douglas; 'I didn't see him properly
till after I had hit him once.'

'Well, my lad has seen him in the yard once before--the dog I mean, not
you, boy; and I have missed three chickens this week, and that's the dog
which took them. It ought to be shot.'

Douglas' hand tightened on his friend's collar, and his face whitened.
'It's not true,' he said. 'Bully is an awfully good dog. He never
touches anything; he wouldn't even touch my rabbits if they were loose.'

So far as looks went, Bully came short of this good reputation. His face
was villainous-looking, and a wound on one side, and sundry scratches on
his nose did not add to his beauty.

'I have paid for those chickens, Douglas,' said his father, when the
angry farmer had gone away. 'I don't suppose it was Bully, but as he is
so much at large, we must take Mr. Wilkins's word for it. In future he
must be kept under control.'

Several weeks passed without any further complaint. Bully spent all