Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-11-28
A QUAINT CHARACTER
TIE EcCENTRlCiTiES OF THE ITALIAN
MARQUIS DEL GRiLLO.

Grim Joke by which lie Attempt
TO ReVolutionixe the AdminIstra-
tiOn OF Justice Ia Etotse-GfvInu e
Caesar What belonged to Caesar.
The Marquis del Grillo. husband OF
The famous actress. Adelaide Rlstori.
was one OF the best known characters
Or his day. Rich. bearing q title that
made him one OF the most conspicuous
figures I'm Roman life. and absolutely
Indifferent 20 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 or unu-
sually bright faculties He had n keen
sense or humOr, loved excitement and
was thoroughly awake TO the shortcom-
ings OF his generation. His eccentricf-
ties were 50 many object lessons.
which IL pleased him 20 administer IN
his own quaint way. and they seldom
went wide Of the mark.
His first attempt ut n practical Joke.
If such it may be termed, babe fair to
revolutiOnize the administration Of JUS
tice I'm Rome.
Punctually at 10 one bright spring
morning every church bell In town be-
gan TO ring "a morto." long. peculiar
toll used 20 announce n death. Plus
N. was then reigning pOntiR 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
cd the fact that the MARQUIS del Grille
had sent the order without specifying
who was dead. The pontin was even
more mystiied. and when word had
come from other churches 10 the same
effect ne sent for the marquis. who
promptly answered the summons.
Il hear" said Plus II. 20 the mar
quis. that II IS at your bidding that
every bell in Rome is tolling. Who
then. is deadF"
Justice, your holiness" was the eng
matte reply.
Justice"
Yes. your holiness-justlce. The
goddess Is no more IN the pontifcaI
states"
And thereupon he related 10 the as
tonished pontin how. becoming aware
OF the corruption existing in judiciary
circles he lad made an experiment.
Claiming that the farm OF q poor neigh
Dor OF his belonged 20 him. he brought
the poor man TO court and by liberal
hrihing obtained possession Of the
whole estate. 10 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
Al another time the marquis. who al
ways dressed very modestly. made bis
way on foot - the palace OF Prince
MasSimo. whore big reception was
being held. AS De approached the en-
trance a pompous lackey looked him
over from head 10 foot and then barred
the way.
NO admittancc tonight" he said IN
soleutly. a reception IS going on"
The nohleman stood amazed. for even
over princes lie often took precedence.
but then he saw the humor OF the situa-
ton and, smiling 10 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 sclntlllat-
ing with decorations. In minute the
whole house was astlr and the hostess
herself met him and led him in. The
night was warm. and soon she invited
him 10 have an ice, an offer which he
promptly accepted. Imagine her feel
inSS when. Instead of eating il. he
cooly and deliberately proceeded 10
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 doincE"
Giving Caesar what belongs TO Gao
sar was the QU.et reply. Your serv-
ants refused % let me in In the garb
OF plain gentleman. but promptly adj
mitted my costume and decorations
when l carried them in. Is Il not they
thar should Toe revardedE"
y popularity OF the MARQUIS was his
refusing To have as personal Wallets any
but the most quick witted OF Young
fellows. who could help him I'm his lit
Tie cScapadeS without having 10 be
coached too much Many amusing
tales are told of his experiences In en-.
gaginC them. In one instance he was
sitting az the piano trying some church
music whom new applicant was ush-
cred in. He didn't stop playing or even
glance around. but began 10 ask Ques-
lions. the answers 10 which evidently
did not appeal u him, FOR he suddenly
struck loud chord and. following the
tune of the music chanted in Il loud
voice. You will never do for me"
Then he rose and without 4 look ut the
man started TO walk ont Of the room.
Quick as flash the applicant stepped
10 the piano and. striking the keys with
both fists chantcl back S0lemnly on
the same air. I'm very glad Of it. be
cause / don't like YOU a bit"
Any one else would have had the
man thrown ont Tor his impudence but
the marquis paused ut 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
terms. New York Times
His Moneys Worth.
Laundrymau-I regret 10 tell YOU. sir
Thai oup NJ v1lr-. sftvr. t-r---