He stepped in front of the dog, with arms extended, and partially blocked the passage. The animal looked surprised, stopped, and evidently considered within himself what it would be best to do. “I never knew him to act like that,” said the joker. “He always lies down on his back and rolls. I’ll stir him up a little.” With that he sprang at the dog and caught him by the ears. Towse was evidently amazed, but he proved equal to the occasion. Fastening his teeth in the boy’s trousers, in startling nearness to an expanse of bare knee, he held on like a vise. Just at that moment the boy caught sight of an unfamiliar spot of white on the animal’s head, and dropped his hold to take at once to his heels, leaving a goodly portion of woolen cloth in the creature’s mouth. “Run, Patsy, run!” he shouted to his chum. “He’s gone and turned hisself into another dog!” HOW LONG IS FIVE MINUTES? In a murder trial before a court in the West, the prisoner was able to account for the whole of his time, except five minutes, on the evening when the crime was committed. His counsel argued that it was impossible for him to have killed the man, under the circumstances, in so brief a period, and on that plea largely based his defense, the other testimony being strongly against his client. When the prosecuting attorney replied, he said: “How long a time really is five minutes? Let us see. Will his honor command absolute silence in the courtroom for that space?” The judge graciously complied. There was a clock on the wall. Every eye in the courtroom was fixed upon it, as the pendulum ticked off the seconds. There was breathless silence. The keen-witted counsel waited until the tired audience gave a sigh of relief at the close of the period, and then asked quietly: “Could he not have struck one fatal blow in all that time?” The prisoner was found guilty, and, as it was proved afterward, justly. DON’T SNUB THE BOYS. Don’t snub a boy because he wears shabby clothes. When Edison, the great inventor, first entered Boston, he wore a pair of yellow linen breeches in the depth of winter. Don’t snub a boy because his home is plain and unpretending. Abraham Lincoln’s early home was a log cabin. Don’t snub a boy because he chooses a humble trade. The author of “Pilgrim’s Progress” was a tinker. Don’t snub a boy because of physical disability. Milton was blind, and Cato was deaf. Don’t snub a boy because he seems dull or stupid. Hogarth, the celebrated painter and engraver, was slow at learning, and did not develop as soon as some boys. Don’t snub a boy because he stutters. Demosthenes, the greatest orator of Greece, overcame a harsh and stammering voice. Don’t snub any one; not alone because some day he may outstrip you in the race of life, but because it is neither kind nor Christian. KEEPING THEM DOWN.