Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-10-25

pet bull In payment for services to his
grandfather. So he started of to per-
form his mission.
IL was q hard blow to the boy to let
Bella go When only little tot OF
youngster he had made the acquaint-
ance OF the bull in a strange way. One
field to pick flowers Suddenly fierce
bull saw the child. and rushed at him
with head down and tail in the air.
The child, unconscious of any danger.
laughed and elapped his hands at the
sight OF the maddened bull, and when
the animal came close TO him he picked
upa handful OF grass, and said inno-
Gently:
''Nice COW; nice COW. Alfonso give
him some hay"
The animal was evidently non-plussed
at the prattle and fearlessness of the lit
tie boy, and after believing and throw
ing up the dirt with his horns. he
stopped and gazed at the little fellow.
Alfonso continued TO prattle away, and
even approached the savage animal and
patted him on the leg. He offered the
dumfounded creature some grass. which
the bull mechanically ate, and then he
put his arm around the creatures nose
and patted him. The savage nature of
the bull was tanned, and he allowed the
boy to do what he pleased with him.
Ever afterwards Alfonso and Bella re-
mained great friends. The bull was
given to the boy and the two grew up
together. While fierce and savage 70
every ono else. Bella was as meek and
playful as kitten TO little Alfonso.
There was no wonder. then. that the
boy hated to part with his pet, but Il
was a question Of choice with him-be-
tween his pet and his grandfather. He
loved Bella. but he loved his GRANDPA
ther more.
The village doctor came to the hui
that night and prescribed for the sicl
man. Three days later Alfonso led tho
bull away to the village and took an az
fectionate farewell OF his pet.
"We'll meet again, Bella" he said
with tears in his eyes; ''when grandfa
ther gets we'll wen work and save
money enough to buy you back"
| But fate was against the little Span
ish boy. His grandfather, even undel
the careful nursing of the doctor, die
not grow any better. He gradual
7 failed and one day he breathed his last
/ Little Alfonso was then left alone IL
4 the world. His grandfather and his pc
bull we're both gone.
\ After the funeral the boy sought worl
in the village, but not getting any, h'
wandered on to the city OF Cordova. III
entered that place with no money anC
with but little courage left But his per
severance soon helped him out OF hi
difficulty.
He fell in with kind strangers, oh
tanned work and became respectable
citizen once more. He was a quick anC
active boy, and he pleased his master 5,
that he was gradually advanced. TIL,
boy saved up his Surplus wages until h
had enough, he thought to buy bacl
his pet bull.
One day he obtained n leave of alb
sence and returned 70 his native village
He sought out the doctor and inquire,
after Bella
.'Oh. the bull took from you in pay
ment for my servicesP' said the doctor
swell, don't know where he is.
kept him some time so that you Nigh
redeem him. But ! got hard up 70
money and sold the old brute. II
became very ugly and fierce after yo
left There is no telling whore he
now"
Alfonso heard this with heavy hear
and he returned TO Cordova disaT
pointed boy. He took up his work wit
as light heart as possible, but ther
was a heavy lump somewhere that OF
pressed him. He wanted to see Bell
once more. He was the only thing tina
reminded him OF his early life In tn
forest of Cordova.