The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-09-28

the boys pretty face was plainly discerni-
Ible-especially to the eager eyes OF his
anxious father.
A pull Of the trigger, a sharp click and a
murmur of disappointment told that the
weapon had missed fire.
Nothing daunted. and still with an APP
parent perfect calmuesS, every movement
being watched by the audience, Bosco re-
loaded the pistol and again raised II.
There was sharp click, followed by a
loud report, and in another second the
child stepped forward. holding the shat
tered apple in his hands. The suspended
breath OF the audience returned. ana broke
out in deafening shout.
"Eucore! Do it again." rose above the
din; and the idea catching hold. developed
into loud roar, do it again.
Bosco seemed pleased and panied at
once.
do it again ~ and the shout assumed a
peremptory tone. Some one threw half
crown into the ring; il was followed By
another, and soon shower of silver lay at
the performers feet. How could be resist ?
lie motioned to the boy, and a second
apple was brought and placed in position.
The lads excessively pale face attracted
general attention now. but a few sympa.
thetic voices raised in protest were howled
down by the impeluous demand, 'DO il
again?"
Bosc0 showed some traces of excitement
as he reloaded his weapon, and the opera
ton seemed to occupy a longer time.
Could II be that his nerve was failin e
him or was it The sight of the boys face
that filled him with dread?
Again he raised the weapon, amid in
creased excitement, and fired. The shot
was again true. and for the second time
the lad brought forth the shattered apple.
''Do ii again! Do it the third timei"
The performer declined. The shouts
grew louder and more determined.
Again! again!" rose the shout, each
time uttered In more angry tone. Still
Bosco declined, until On personal appeal
from the proprietor, VINO feared the grow
ing storm. he reluctantly yielded.
For the third time an apple was placed
In position and the glarng light again
thrown on. How terribly pale were those
features now! Bosco's hand vsibly
rembled as he loaded the deadly weapon.
Making a tremendous effort to recover
MS Self-possesSion, B0sco raised the
weapon and took aim. There was again a
sharp click, loud report, and the boy
fell heavily to the ground.
a painful suspense followed, during
which the band struck no a lively tune,
but 1T sounded like funeral march.
The boy! the boy! what about the
boy 2" the audience shOnteG.
They wers human again now. AT length
the manager appeared He told them that
the lad had been Ill all day. and had taken
part in the performance at great risk. The
mental strain was too much for him, how
ever. and as the last shot was fired his
strength gave way and he swooued.
But he Is not hurt" the manager con-
cluded, land as soon as the fainting fit /.
over he shall BIZ presented TO you. See
Here be comes" and, as he spoke, Bose,
emerged from the tent, leading by the
hand his little SOD. displaying the rem
| nants of the third apple.
Alfredo Bosco has never told how tina
very fainting fit of Alphonso's saved til,
lads lie; for hs, and he only, knew tia
his aim was defective. and that the sho
struck the apple just as the swooning DO
was falling to the ground. -Tid-B