Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1894-04-05
BOSCO'S BENEFIT.

of all the successful performers who
stepped into the arena of Gallaxy's IA
nous circus, none obtained such de-
gree Of popular approval as did Signor
Alfredo Bosco and his S-year-old son AL
fonso. Whether it was due to the clev-
erness of their feats, the daring skill
displayed in the execution of them, or
to general attractive demeanor, GER
tain it is that from the day of their first
appearance down to the end of the tour
Signor Bosco and his son were received
with genuine enthusiasm such as to
firmly establish them in the favor of the
audience. When, therefore, it became
known that the last night of the season
was to be devoted to the benefit of these
popular performers, it was confidently
predicted that the house would be
bumper.
The proprietor, deeming it advisable
on such an occasion that some special
novelty should be introduced into the
programme, it was with no small de-
gree of interest that the populace that
morning found the walls placarded with
flaming posters, in the reddest of red
ink, announcing that ON this the last
night of the season at Gallaxy's royal
circus and hippodrome, specially set
apart for the benefit Of Signor Alfredo
Bosco. that eminent and world renown-
ed performer would, for the first and
only time, attempt novel and danger
GUS feat-to wit. William Tell S historic
and never to be forgotten exploit of
shooting an apple placed upon the head
of his own son. pistol ON this occasion
being substituted for the obsolete bow
and arrow.
In private life Signor Alfredo Bosco's
name was plain Alfred Green, and he
was as little CT italian extraction as any
one possessing the name of Green could
well be. Distinguishing himself as
young man by marked and intrepid dar-
ing, he had found field for his talents
in the circus arena. Having married
an opera singer, son was born to him,
but the act cost the young mother her
life, to Alfredo's inexpressible grief
The child soon became the fathers idol,
his whole existence becoming wrapped
up in that of the boy. 1t was for his
sake that he worked doubly hard at his
profession, on his behalf that he denied
himself most of the comforts of life,
and for his benefit, and in order that he
might be ever near him, that he reared
the lad in his own profession, never ac-
cepting an engagement unless the boy
was included in it.
When, therefore, the proprietor of
Gallaxy's suggested to him the per-
formance of the feat alluded to, it may
naturally be supposed that so fond a fa-
ther hesitated before committing him
self to it, s:ld when, under strong rep
resentations, he finally consented it
was with no little anxiety and concern.
Not that he mistrusted his own powers
in the least. He was sure shot. One
of his staple performances in the ring
was to shoot with a pistol, while gal
Looping on horseback, at number of
glass balls thrown promiscuously into
the air, and SO accomplished was he at
this feat that he seldom missed one, and
never two, out of the number. There
fore it was not personal considerations
that made him hesitate, but fear lest
the lad by any untoward movement
should jeopardize the action and endan-
ger his own precious life. Nor was his
anxiety decreased when, on the event
ful day, he discovered that the boy was
far from we'll.
Its only headache, father the
lad said, in response to his question
ings. Il shall be better tonight And
hung round the child's neck, secure
from observation, a little medallion por-
trait Of his mother, which he always
wore when any feat of specially dan
gerous nature was to be undertaken.