Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1906-11-21
AQUAINTCHARACTER
the sccEnTRIciTlEs OF THE ITALIAN
MARQUIS DEL oRILto.
Grim Jesse NJ which Tie Attempted
Go nevoiutionise che Aamini.sra-
tion of Justice o. Hsia, ci,inx Co
Caesar what belonged eca--.r.

The Marquis del Grille. husband OF
the famous actress. Adelaide RIstori.
was one OF the best known characters
OF his day. Rich. bearing a title that
made him one of the most consplcuous
figures In Roman life. and absolutely
Indifferent 10 what others thought OF
him. he INDUCED in all sorts OF pranks.
Society called them eccentrieitics and
pronounced him slightly unbalanced.
but In reality he was possessed OF unu-
sually bright faculties. lie had a keen
sense Of humor. loved excitement and
was thoroughly awake 10 the shortcom.
ings OF his generation His eccentrici.
ties were 80 many object lessons,
which {; pleased him 90 administer IN
his own, quaint way. and they seldom
went wide OF the mark
. His first attempt az practical Joke.
II such II may De termed. babe fair 90
revolutlonize the ADMINISTRATION Of JUS
tice In Rome
Punctually at 10 one bright spring
morning every church bell iu town be-
gan 20 ring "a morto" long. peculiar
toll used 10 announce death. Plus
TX. was then rclgning ponud aud.
hearing the gs.eral tolllng. asked who
the great parsonage was that all Rome
was mourning None OF his suit
knew. but inquiries at 81. Peters elicit.
ed the fact that the Marquis del Grillo
had sent the order without specifying
who was dead. The pontln was even
more mystlhed. and when worl had
come from other churches TO the same
effect he sent for the marquis. who
promptly answered the summons.
Il hear" said Plus IN. 90 the mar
quis. that II Is NJ your bidding that
every bell In Rome is tolling. Who,
then. Is deadg"
Justice. your holiness" was the eng
matte reply.
"JusticeT
Eyes. your hollness-jnstice. The
goddess is no more In the pontifcal
states"
And thereupon be related 10 the as
tonlshed pontG how. becoming aware
of the corruption existing In judiciary
circles, he had made an experiment.
Claiming that the farm Of poor nei gh-
Dor OF his belonged to him. he brought
the poor man 10 court and by liberal
hriblng olsnined possession Of the
whole estate. 20 which he had no right
whatsoever.
'.he pope. after listening attentively,
censured the marquis severely for the
method used. but history tells US that
the lesson bore fruit aud that many
changes took place In important civic
positions.
Al another time the marquis, who al
ways dressed very modestly. made his
way on foot 10 the palace OF Prince
Massimo. where big reception was
being held As he approached the en-.
trance a pompous lackey looked him
over from head TO foot and then barred
the way.
mo admittance tonight" he said In
solently. ~ reception IL going on"
The nobleman stood amazed. for even
over princes he often took precedence.
but then he saw the humor OF the situa-
ton and. smiling TO himself. walked
away.
Half an hour later magnificent
coach drew up before the palace. and
out stepped the marquis. respondent In
a gorgeous court uniform and sclntillat-
ing with decorations. In minute the
whole house was astir. and the hostess
herself met him and led him In. The
night was warm. and soon she invited
him 90 have an ice. au offer which he
promptly accepted. Imagine her feel.
ings when. instead OF eating II. he
coolly and deliberately proceeded to
spread spoonful after spoonful over the
front 81 his uniform and on his nu-
merOus decorations.
why. marquis" she exclaimed In
alarm. what are you doing?"
Giving Caesar what belongs 70 Cae-
sar" was the quiet reply. Your serv-
ants refused 10 let me In In the garb
OF a plain gentleman. but promptly adj
mltted my costume and decorations
when | carried them In Is IL not they
that should be rewardedff
A popularity OF the marquis was his
refusing 10 have rs personal Wallets any
but the most quick witted OF young
fellows. who could help him IN his lit
tie cscapades without having TO be
coached too much. Many amusing
tales are told Of his experiences In en-
gnglng them In one instance he was
sitting NJ the piano trying some church
music when a new applicant was ush
cred in He didn't stop playing or even
glance around. but began 90 ask ques-
tlons. the answers 20 which evidently
did not appeal 90 him. for he suddenly
struck a loud chord and. following the
tune OF the music. chanted In a loud
voice. "You will never DO Tor me"
Then he rose and without a look at the
man started 20 walk out OF the room.
Quick rs flash the applicant stepped
10 the piano and. striking the keys with
both fists. chanted back solemnly on
the same air. I'm very glad Of IL. be
rauso / don't like you a bit"
ANY one else would have had the
man thrown out for his Impudence, but
the marquis paused at the door and
smiled with appreciation.
Il guess We shall get on nicely, after
ALL" he said pleasantly. See my
'maggiordomo' and speak to him about