The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1907-05-31
"A QUAINT CHARACTER
THE ECCENTRlCiTIES OFTHE ITALIAN
MARQUIS DEL GRILLO.

Grim Joke py Which He Attempted
| to Revolutionize the Aaministrn-
tom of Justice In Rome--Givinss to
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 a 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 keen
sense Of humor, loved excitement and
| was thoroughly awake to the shortcom-
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 a 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," a long, peculiar
toll used to announce 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 Grillo
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 is at your bidding that
every bell in Rome is tolling. Who,
then, is dead?"
'Justice your holiness" was the enig-
matte reply.
"Justice|'
Eyes, your holiness-justice. The
goddess is no more in the pontifcal
states"
And thereupon he related to the as
IO1lIo4ICh pO1tliL uoN, bGSOlll1lS 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
brfbing obtained possession Of the
whole estate, to which he had no right
whatsoever
The pope, after listening attentiveHy,
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.
mo admittance tonight" he said In
solently. "a reception is 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 a 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
lngs 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 doingT
"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, but promptly ad-
mitted my costume and decorations
when carried them in. Is 1t not they
that should be reWarded?"
A 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 in his lit
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
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-
tons, the answers to which evidently
did not appeal to him. for he suddenly
struck loud chord and. following the