Phil, the Fiddler

ught two penny rolls and a piece of cheese. It was not a very luxurious repast, but with the apple it was bet

omo?" asked Phil, speaking, of

s. How much

and twen

ery lucky,

aying to her sick boy. Then I sang for som

padrone will be

t beat me

had dinner

bread and chees

buy the

was very good," said Phil, in a tone of enj

er, Filippo, the oran

mber th

e to beat me, and I could run about and play. Now I have to sin

mo," said Phil, looking with some

get tired

care so much for that. Bu

last winter," said Giacomo, shuddering. "Do

met

should like to see my de

our fa

sold me to the padrone. My mother wept bitterly when

were torn from their native hills, from their families, and in a foreign land were doomed to walk the streets from fourteen to sixteen hours in every twenty-four, gathering money from which they received small benefit. Many times, as they trudge

his comrades. But Giacomo was more delicate, and less able to bear want and fatigue. His

s laid on the shoulder of each, and a harsh voice said

ntenance. It was his habit to walk about the streets from time to time, and keep a watch, unobserved, upon his young apprentices,

il, who was naturally courageous, recovered his self-possession. Not so with Giacom

time, padrone," said Phi

that. How long have

five m

oney have y

and twen

well. And how is it

forty

n idle," said the

embling. "I have played, but th

id Phil, coming boldly to

crape-grace," said the padrone, rough

lucky. A kind lady g

you get the money. But if you don't bring h

d with thirty or forty others scarcely a night passed without the brutal punishment of one or more unfortunate boys, who had b

oth of you," said t

e Astor House. The padrone made his way to the nearest liquor shop, where he inve

finding liberal auditors. He had secured but ten cents during this time, and it seemed doubtful whether he would reach the sum he wanted

tune, Johnn

ubtfully, for he did not care, with such

l give you

Phil struck

onkey?" asked o

e no m

r you," said Tim Rafferty, putting h

g," said Phi

. "It's you that'll make a better monkey nor

," said Phil, with

other tu

ken up, but it only amounted to seven cents. However, considering t

u made to-day, Jo

ar," sa

u what, boys, I think I'll buy a fiddle myself. I

er you'd make,

d me your fiddle, Johnny

hook h

now; I won't

l brea

'll pay

sn't

is it

padro

's the p

If the fiddle is bro

may tell him so, with Tim Rafferty

it, and he had no mind to run the risk. So he rose from the seat, and withdrew to a little distance, T

t to me I'll put a h

said Phil, firmly, for he

ght," said Tim's companion. "

him wid one h

would probably have been compelled to yield to superior