ll go into
French's Hotel a little while."

"I should like to."

They entered the hotel and sat down near the heater. The grateful warmth
diffused itself through their frames, and Giacomo sank back in his seat
with a sigh of relief.

"Do you feel better, Giacomo?" asked his comrade.

"Yes, Filippo; I wish I could stay here till it is time to go home."

"We will, then. We shall get no more money outside."

"The padrone----"

"Will beat us at any rate. It will be no worse for us. Besides they may
possibly ask us to play here."

"I can play no more to-night, Filippo, I am so tired."

Phil knew very little of sickness, or he might have seen that Giacomo
was going to be ill. Exposure, fatigue, and privation had been too much
for his strength. He had never been robust, and he had been subjected to
trials that would have proved hard for one much stronger to bear.

When he had once determined to remain in the comfortable hotel, Phil
leaned back in his chair also, and decided to enjoy all the comfort
attainable. What though there was a beating in prospect?

He had before him two or three hours of rest and relief from the outside
cold. He was something of a philosopher, and chose not to let future
evil interfere with present good.

Near the two boys sat two young men--merchants from the interior of New
York State, who were making a business visit to the metropolis.

"Well, Gardner," said the first, "where shall we go to-night?"

"Why need we go anywhere?"

"I thought you might like to go to some place of amusement."

"So I would if the weather were less inclement. The most comfortable
place is by the fire."

"You are right as to that, but the evening will be long and stupid."

"Oh, we can worry it through. Here, for instance, are two young
musicians," indicating the little fiddlers. "Suppose we get a tune out
of them?"

"Agreed. Here, boy, can you play on that fiddle?"

"Yes," said Phil.

"Well, give us a tune, then. Is that your brother?"

"No, he is my comrade."

"He can play, too."

"Will you play, Giacomo?"

The younger boy roused himself. The two stood up, and played two or
three tunes successfully. A group of loungers gathered around them and
listened approvingly. When they had finished Phil took off his hat and
went the rounds. Some gave, the two first mentioned contributing most
liberally. The whole sum collected was about fifty cents.

Phil and Giacomo now resumed their seats. They felt