Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-07-26
A MODERN TELL


nous circus, none obtained such a
degree Of popular approval as did Sig.
nor Alfredo Bosco and his eight-year-
old son Alfonso. Whether 1t was due
to the cleverness Of their feats, the
daring skill displayed In the execution
Of them, or to q general attractive de-
meanor, certain 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 q genuine
enthusiasm such as to firmly establish
them In the favor OF the audience.
When, therefore, " became known that
the last night Of the season was to DO
devoted to the benefit Of these popular
performers, 1t was confidently predict
cd that the house would be bumper.
The proprietor deeming II advisable
on such an occasion that some special
novelty should be introduced into the
programme, 1t 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 hippodromc, specially
set apart for the benefit Of Signor Al
fredo Bosco, that eminent and world
renowned performer would, for the first
and only time, attempt a novel and
dangerous feat, to-wit: William Tells
historic and never-to. be-forgotten ex-
plot 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 lite Signor Alfredo Bosco's
hume was plain Alfred Green, and he
was ns little OF italian extraction as
anyone possessing the name Of Green
could well be. Distinguishing himself
as young man by marked and intrepid
daring, he had found field for his
talents in the circus arena. Having
married an opera singer, q son was
born to him, but the act cost the young
mother her life, to Alfredo's inexpressl-
bic grief. The child soon became the
fathers idol, his whole existence be-
coming wrapped up in that OF the boy,
1t was for his sake that he worked
doubly hard at his profession, on this
belief that he denied himself most Of
the comforts Of life, and for his bene-
f1t and in order that he might be ever
near him that he reared the lad In his
own profession, never accepting an en-
gagement unless the boy was included
in II.
When, therefore, the proprietor Of
Gallaxy's suggested to him the per-
Torrance Of the feat alluded to, 1t may
naturally be supposed that so fond a
father hesitated before committing
himself to II, and when, under strong
representations, he finally consented
1t was with no little anxiety and con-
Germ. Not that he mistrusted his own
powers in the least, He was u sure
shot. One Of his staple performances
In the ring was to shoot with pistol,
while galloping on horseback, at q
number Of glass balls thrown promis-
cuously into the cir, and 80 accom-.
plished was he at this feat that he sell
dom missed one, and never two, out Of
the number, Therefore, 1t wns not
personal considerations that made him
hesitate, hut fear lest the lad, by some
untoward movement, should jeopar-
die the action and endanger his own
precious life. Nor was his anxiety de-
creased when, on the eventful day, he
discovered that the boy was far from
we'll.
tits only a headache. father" the
lad said, In response to hts question.
ings. u shall be better tonight"
And when night came the anxious
father hung round the ohlld's neck,
secure from observation, little medal.
lion portrait Of his mother, which he
always wore when any feat Of a spe.
cially dangerous nature was TO be un-
dertaken.
1t soon became evident that expeeta-
lions would DO realized, and that the
canvas Of Gallaxy's monster tent would
that night cover an audience out Of oil
former precedent. Long before the
doors were opened the entrance was