Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1906-11-13
A QUAINT CHARACTER
THE ECcENTRICITlEs OF THE ITALIAN
MARQUIS DEL GRlLLO.

to Revolutionize the Administra-
Caesar What Belonged to Caesar.
The Marquis del Grille, husband of
the famous actress, Adelaide Ristori,
was one of the best known characters
Of his day. Rich, bearing title that
made him one of the most conspicuous
figures in Roman life. and absolutely
Indifferent to what others thought Of
him, he INDUCED In all sorts Of pranks
Society called them eccentricities and
pronounced him slightly unbalanced,
but in reality he was possessed Of unu-
sually bright faculties. He had a keen
sense Of humor, loved excitement and
was thoroughly awake to the shortcon,-
ings Of his generation. His eccentrici-
ties were so many object lessons,
which it pleased him to administer in
his own quaint way, and they seldom
went wide Of the mark.
His first attempt at practical joke,
if such it may be termed, babe fair to
revolutionize the administration Of JUS
tice in Rome.
Principally at 10 one bright spring
morning every church bell in town be-
gan to ring "a morto," long, peculiar
toll used to announce a death. Plus
TX. was then reigning pontiff and,
hearing the general tolling, asked who
the great parsonage was that all Rome
was mourning. None Of his "suit'
knew but inquiries at St. Peters elicit
ed the fact that the Marquis del Grille
had sent the order without specifying
who was dead. The pontiff was even
more mystified, and when word had
come from other churches to the same
effect he sent for the marquis, who
promptly answered the summons.
II hear" said Plus TX. to the mar
quis, that it Ia at your bidding that
every bell in Rome is tolling. Who,
then, is dead?"
"Justice, your holiness" was the enig-
matte reply.
"Justice?"
ayes, your holiness Justice. The
goddess is no more in the pontifcal
states"
And thereupon he related to the as
tonished pontif how, becoming aware
of the corruption existing in judiciary
circles, he had made an experiment.
Claiming that the farm Of poor neigh
Dor Of his belonged to him, he brought
the poor man to court and by liberal
bribing obtained possession Of the
whole estate, to which he had no right
| whatsoever.
The pope, after listening attentively,
censured the marquis severely for the
method used, but history tells us that
the lesson bore fruit and that many
changes took place in important civic
positions.
At another time the marquis, who al
ways dressed very modestly, made his
way on foot to the palace of Prince
Massimo where a big reception was
being held. AS he approached the en-
trance pompous lackey looked him
over from head to foot and then barred
the way.
'No admittance tonight" he said in
solently. "A reception is going on.''
The nobseman 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 q magnificent
coach drew up before the palace, and
out stepped the marquis, Respondent in
a gorgeous court uniform and scintillat-
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 to have an ice, an offer which he
| promptly accepted. Imagine her feel
ings when, instead of eating it, he
coolly and deliberately proceeded to
| spread spoonful after spoonful over the
front Of his uniform and on his nu-
merous decorations.
"Why, marquis" she exclaimed in
alarm, what are you doing?
| "'Giving Caesar what belongs to Gaze
sar," was the quiet reply. "Your serv-
| ants refused to let me in In the garb
/ OF plain gentleman, bat promptly ad-
mitted my costume and decorations
when carried them in. Is 1t not they
that should be rewarded?"
4 "A pSCuiidflty OF Tue marquis was MS
refusing to have as personal Wallets any
but the most quick witted Of young
fellows, who could help him In his lit
4 tie escapades without having to be
coached too much. Many amusing
tales are told of his experiences In en-
gaging them. In one instance he was
A sitting at the piano trying some church
music when new applicant was ush-
cred In. He didn't stop playing or even
glance around, but began to ask ques-
tions, the answers to which evidently
did not appeal to him, for he suddenly
4 struck loud chord and, following the
tune Of the music, chanted ID a loud
Iivoice, "You will never do for me-
Then he rose and without look at the
man started to walk out Of the room.
Il Quick as a flash the applicant stepped
to tie piano and, striking the keys with
both fists, chanted back soiemnly on
the same air, I'm very glad Of It, be
cause / don't like You BIT. =
ANY one else would have had thu
man thrown out for his impudence, bui