Daily Arizona silver belt., 1907-12-25
A QUAINT CHARACTER
THE EccENTRIclTlsS OF THE ITALIAN
 MARQUIS DEL GRlLLo.

The Marquis del Grille, husband of the famous actress, Adelaide Rlstori, 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 indulged 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 eccentricl- ties were so many object lessons, which 1t pleased him to administer ln 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, bade fair to revolutionize the administration of jus tice In Rome
 Punctually at 10 one bright spring morning every church bell in town be- gan to ring "a mOrto," long, peculiar | toll used to announce death. Plus TX. was then reigning pontiff and, hearing the general tollng. asked who the great parsonage was that all Rome was mourning None of his suit knew, but inquiries at St Peter's elicit cd the fact that the Marquis del Grille had sent the order without specifying who was dead. The pontiff was even more mystifed. and when word had come from other churches 10 the same effect he sent for the marquis, who promptly answered the summons.
 .I 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. matic reply.
 Justice"
 "Yes, your holiness-justice. The goddess is no more in the pontlfical states"
 And thereupon he related to the as- tonlshed pontIfr how, becoming aware of the corruption existing In judiciary circles, he had made an experiment. | Claiming that the farm of poor neigh bor of his belonged to him, he brought the poor man to court and by liberal bribing obtsined 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 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 robleman 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, resplendent in 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 doingT "Giving Caesar what belongs to Cae- 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 I carried them in. Is it not they that should be rewardedT
 A peculiarity of the marquis was his refusing to have as personal valets any but the most quick witted of young fellows, who could help him In his It. tie escapades without having to be coached too much. Many amusing tales are told of his experiences In en- gazing 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- tions, the answers to which evidently did not appeal to him, for he suddenly struck loud chord and, following the tune of the music, chanted in loud voice, You will never do for me-" Then he rose and without look at the man started to walk out of the room Quick as flash the applicant stepped 10 the plano and, striking the keys with both fists, chanted back solemnly on The same air, I'm very glad of 1t, be- cause don't like you 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.
 q guess we shall get on nicely, after all," he said pleasantly. "See my 'maggiordomo' and speak to him about terms. ."-New York Times.