n or near the City Hall Park, had
been sent uptown on an errand. He was making his way back leisurely,
when, just as he was passing Burnton's bookstore, he saw Phil looking
in at the window. He immediately recognized him as the little Italian
fiddler who had refused to lend him his fiddle, as described in a
previous chapter. In his attempt he was frustrated by Paul Hoffman. His
defeat incensed him, and he determined, if he ever met Phil again, to
"get even with him," as he expressed it. It struck him that this was a
good opportunity to borrow his fiddle without leave.

When Phil discovered his loss, he determined to run after the thief.

"Give me back my fiddle!" he cried.

But this Tim was in no hurry to do. As he had longer legs than Phil, the
chances were that he would escape. But some distance ahead he saw one of
the blue-coated guardians of the public peace, or, in newsboy parlance,
a cop, and saw that Phil could easily prove theft against him, as it
would be impossible to pass himself off as a fiddler. He must get rid of
the violin in some way, and the sooner the better. He threw it into the
middle of the street, just as a heavy cart was coming along. The wheels
of the ponderous vehicle passed over the frail instrument, crushing it
utterly. Phil ran forward to rescue his instrument, but too late. It
was spoiled beyond recovery. Phil picked up the pieces mechanically, and
took them back with him, but he soon realized that he might as well cast
them away again. Meanwhile Tim, satisfied with the mischief he had done,
and feeling revenged for his former mortification, walked up a side
street, and escaped interference.

Phil had come to one of those crises in human experience when it is
necessary to pause and decide what to do next. The fiddle was not a
valuable one--in fact, it was a shabby little instrument--but it was
Phil's stock in trade. Moreover, it belonged to the padrone, and however
innocent Phil might be as regarded its destruction, his tyrannical
master was sure to call him to heavy account for it. He was certain to
be severely punished, more so than the evening before, and this was
not a pleasant prospect to look forward to. The padrone was sure not to
forgive an offense like this.

Thinking over these things, a bold suggestion came into Phil's mind.
Why need he go back at all? Why should he not take this occasion for
breaking his fetters, and starting out into life on his own account?
There was nothi