give me much money."

"It is not his fault," said Phil, coming boldly to the defense of his
friend.

"Attend to your own affairs, little scrape-grace," said the padrone,
roughly. "He might have got as much as you."

"No, padrone; I was lucky. A kind lady gave me fifty cents."

"That is not my affair. I don't care where you get the money. But if you
don't bring home all I expect, you shall feel the stick."

These last words were addressed to Giacomo, who understood their import
only too well. In the miserable lodging where he herded with thirty or
forty others scarcely a night passed without the brutal punishment of
one or more unfortunate boys, who had been unsuccessful in bringing home
enough to satisfy the rapacity of the padrone. But of this an account
will hereafter be given.

"Now, go to work, both of you," said the padrone, harshly.

The two boys separated. Giacomo went uptown, while Phil kept on his way
toward the Astor House. The padrone made his way to the nearest liquor
shop, where he invested a portion of the money wrung from the hard
earnings of his young apprentices.

Toward the close of the afternoon Phil found himself in front of the
Astor House. He had played several times, but was not fortunate in
finding liberal auditors. He had secured but ten cents during this time,