Phil, the Fiddler by Jr. Horatio Alger (ereader for comics .TXT) ๐
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online ยซPhil, the Fiddler by Jr. Horatio Alger (ereader for comics .TXT) ๐ยป. Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
โWhy did you give your bread to Giuseppe?โ he demanded.
โBecause I was not hungry,โ answered Phil.
โWhy were you not hungry? Did you buy some supper?โ
โNo, signore.โ
โThen you should be hungry.โ
โA kind lady gave me some supper.โ
โHow did it happen?โ
โI knew her son. His name is Paolo. He asked me to go home with him. Then he gave me a good supper.โ
โHow long were you there? You might have been playing and brought me some more money,โ said the padrone, who, with characteristic meanness, grudged the young fiddler time to eat the meal that cost him nothing.
โIt was not long, signore.โ
โYou can eat what is given you, but you must not waste too much time.โ
A boy entered next, who showed by his hesitating manner that he did not anticipate a good reception. The padrone, accustomed to judge by appearances, instantly divined this.
โWell, Ludovico,โ he said, sharply, โwhat do you bring me?โ
โPardon, padrone,โ said Ludovico, producing a small sum of money.
โI could not help it.โ
โSeventy-five cents,โ repeated the padrone, indignantly. โYou have been idle, you little wretch!โ
โNo, padrone. Indeed, I did my best. The people would not give me money.โ
โWhere did you go?โ
โI was in Brooklyn.โ
โYou have spent some of the money.โ
โNo, padrone.โ
โYou have been idle, then. No supper to-night. Pietro, my stick!โ
Pietro was one of the older boys. He was ugly physically, and his disposition corresponded with his appearance. He could have few good traits, or he would not have possessed the confidence of the padrone. He was an efficient assistant of the latter, and co-operated with him in oppressing the other boys. Indeed, he was a nephew of the padroneโs, and for this reason, as well as his similarity of disposition, he was treated with unusual indulgence. Whenever the padrone felt suspicious of any of the boys, he usually sent them out in company with Pietro, who acted as a spy, faithfully reporting all that happened to his principal.
Pietro responded with alacrity to the command of the padrone, and produced a stout stick, which he handed to his uncle.
โNow strip off your jacket,โ said the padrone, harshly.
โSpare me, padrone! Do not beat me! It was not my fault,โ said the unhappy Ludovico, imploringly.
โTake off your jacket!โ repeated the padrone, pitilessly.
One look of that hard face might have taught Ludovico, even if he had not witnessed the punishment so often inflicted on other boys, that there was no hope for him.
โHelp him, Pietro,โ said the padrone.
Pietro seized Ludovicoโs jacket, and pulled it off roughly. Then he drew off the ragged shirt which the boy wore underneath, and his bare back was exposed to view.
โHold him, Pietro!โ
In Pietroโs firm grasp, the boy was unable to stir. The padrone whirled the stick aloft, and brought it down upon the naked flesh, leaving behind a fearful wheal.
Ludovico shrieked aloud, and again implored mercy, but in vain, for the stick descended again and again.
Meanwhile the other boys looked on, helpless to interfere. The more selfish were glad that they had escaped, though not at all sure but it would be their turn next evening. There were others who felt a passive sympathy for their unlucky comrade. Others were filled with indignation at the padrone, knowing how cruel and unjust were his exactions. Among these was Phil. Possessed of a warm and sympathetic heart, he never witnessed these cruel punishments without feeling that he would like to see the padrone suffering such pain as he inflicted upon others.
โIf I were only a man,โ he often thought, โI would wrench the stick from his hand, and give him a chance to feel it.โ
But he knew too well the danger of permitting his real sentiments to be reflected in his face. It would only bring upon him a share of the same punishment, without benefiting those who were unfortunate enough to receive it.
When Ludovicoโs punishment was ended, he was permitted to go to bed, but without his supper. Nor was his the only case. Five other boys were subjected to the same punishment. The stick had no want of exercise on that evening. Here were nearly forty boys, subjected to excessive fatigue, privation, and brutal treatment daily, on account of the greed of one man. The hours that should been given in part to instruction, and partly to such recreation as the youthful heart craves, were devoted to a pursuit that did nothing to prepare them for the duties of life. And this white slaveryโfor it merits no better nameโis permitted by the law of two great nations. Italy is in fault in suffering this traffic in her children of tender years, and America is guilty as well in not interfering, as she might, at all events, to abridge the long hours of labor required of these boys, and forcing their cruel guardians to give them some instruction.
One by one the boys straggled in. By midnight all had returned, and the boys were permitted to retire to their beds, which were poor enough. This, however, was the least of their troubles. Sound are the slumbers of young however hard the couch on which it rests, especially when, as with all the young Italian boys, the day has been one of fatigue.
CHAPTER VIII A COLD DAY
The events thus far recorded in the life of our young hero took place on a day toward the middle of October, when the temperature was sufficiently mild to produce no particular discomfort in those exposed to it. We advance our story two months, and behold Phil setting out for his dayโs wandering on a morning in December, when the keen blasts swept through the streets, sending a shiver through the frames even of those who were well protected. How much more, then, must it be felt by the young street musician, who, with the exception of a woolen tippet, wore nothing more or warmer than in the warmer months! Yet, Phil, with his natural vigorous frame, was better able to bear the rigor of the winter weather than some of his comrades, as Giacomo, to whom the long hours spent in the streets were laden with suffering and misery.
The two boys went about together when they dared to do so, though the padrone objected, but for what reason it did not
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