"I can fight him wid one hand," said Tim.

He advanced upon our young hero, who, being much smaller, would
probably have been compelled to yield to superior force but for
an interference entirely unexpected by Tim.

CHAPTER IV

AN INVITATION TO SUPPER

Tim had raised his fist to strike the young fiddler, when he was
suddenly pushed aside with considerable force, and came near
measuring his length on the ground.

"Who did that?" he cried, angrily, recovering his equilibrium.

"I did it," said a calm voice.

Tim recognized in the speaker Paul Hoffman, whom some of my
readers will remember as "Paul the Peddler."  Paul was proprietor
of a necktie stand below the Astor House, and was just returning
home to supper.

He was a brave and manly boy, and his sympathies were always in
favor of the oppressed.  He had met Phil before, and talked with
him, and seeing him in danger came to his assistance.

"What made you push me?" demanded Tim, fiercely.

"What were you going to do to him?" rejoined Paul, indicating
the Italian boy.

"I was only goin' to borrer his fiddle."

"He would have broken it," said Phil.

"You don't know how to play," said Paul.  "You would have broken
his fiddle, and then he would be beaten."

"I would pay for it if I did," said Tim.

"You say so, but you wouldn't.  Even if you did, it would take
time, and the boy would have suffered."

"What business is that of yours?" demanded Tim, angrily.

"It is always my business when I see a big boy teasing a little
one."

"You'll get hurt some day," said Tim, suddenly.

"Not by you," returned Paul, not particularly alarmed.

Tim would have gladly have punished Paul on the spot for his
interference, but he did not consider it prudent to provoke
hostilities.  Paul was as tall as himself, and considerably
stronger.  He therefore wisely confined himself to threatening
words.

"Come along with me, Phil," said Paul, kindly, to the little
fiddler.

"Thank you for saving me," said Phil, gratefully.  "The padrone
would beat me if the fiddle was broke."

"Never mind about thanks, Phil.  Tim is a bully with small boys,
but he is a coward among large ones.  Have you had any supper?"

"No," said Phil.

"Won't you come home and take supper with me?"

Phil hesitated.

"You are kind," he said, "but I fear the padrone."

"What will he do to you?"

"He will beat me if I don't bring home enough money."

"How much more must you get?"

"Sixty cents."

"You can play better after a good supper.  Come along; I won't
keep you long."

Phil made no more objection.  He was a healthy boy, and his
wanderings had given him a good appetite.  So he thanked Paul,
and walked along by his side.  One object Paul had in inviting
him was, the fear that Tim Rafferty might take advantage of his
absence to renew his assault upon Phil, and with better success
than before.

"How old are you, Phil?" he asked.

"Twelve years."

"And who taught you to play?"