The boys gathered around the little minstrel, who struck up an
Italian tune, but without the words.
"Sing, sing!" cried the boys.
Phil began to sing. His clear, fresh voice produced a favorable
impression upon the boys.
"He's a bully singer," said one. "I can't sing much better
myself."
"You sing! Your singing would be enough to scare a dozen tom
cats."
"Then we should be well matched. Look here, Johnny, can't you
sing something in English?"
Phil, in response to this request, played and sang "Shoo Fly!"
which suiting the boys' taste, he was called upon to repeat.
The song being finished, Edward Eustis took off his cap, and went
around the circle.
"Now, boys, you have a chance to show your liberality," he said.
"I'll start the collection with five cents."
"That's ahead of me," said James Marcus. "Justice to a large and
expensive family will prevent me contributing anything more than
two cents."
"The smallest favors thankfully received," said Edward.
"Then take that, and be thankful," said Tom Lane, dropping in a
penny.
"I haven't got any money," said Frank Gaylord, "but here's an
apple;" and he dropped a large red apple into the cap.
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