He found they amounted to precisely two dollars and
fifty cents.
"I need not play any more," he thought. "I shall not be beaten
to-night."
He found his seat so comfortable, especially after wandering
about the streets all day, that he remained on the boat for two
more trips. Then, taking his violin under his arm, he went out
on the pier.
It was half-past seven o'clock. He would like to have gone to
his lodging, but knew that it would not be permitted. In this
respect the Italian fiddler is not as well off as those who ply
other street trades. Newsboys and bootblacks are their own
masters, and, whether their earnings are little or great, reap
the benefit of them themselves. They can stop work at six if
they like, or earlier; but the little Italian musician must
remain in the street till near midnight, and then, after a long
and fatiguing day, he is liable to be beaten and sent to bed
without his supper, unless he brings home a satisfactory sum of
money.
Phil walked about here and there in the lower part of the city.
As he was passing a barroom he was called in by the barkeeper.
"Give us a tune, boy," he said.
It was a low barroom, frequented by sailors and a rough set of
customers of similar character.
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