Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-10-23
The COrrector of DeStinieS
By Melville DAVIDSON Posi-

one could have seen tie Marquis Ma
zaccra dining at the Dresden. on flfth
avenue. The observer may not have
known this remarkable man nor any
thing Of his history. but he would in
stuntIy have noticed his fine, sinewy
figure. and his features. clean-cut and
regular like those OF an Italian
bronze.
Il is well to remember that every
country maintains a kingdom lying
within the boundaries of this repub-
lie. do not mean the fiction OF GOV
ereignty attaching to the legations at
Washington, but a phantom state
rather, keeping the customs, the tradi-
tons, even the very laws. Of the moth
er country.
II was only In this kingdom OF Italy
that Signore Mazaccra was mar
auis. Uptown ia New York, he was
merely a star of heavy opera, one
Ricardo Robini. with voice Ike that
OF many sirens, and yet the man.
plying this emasculated trade, was
IN fact a ruthless, calculating, steel
neryed sentinel. presenting himself.
thus singing, In the worlds most
public places, and reporting each
night to that phantom kingdom OF
Italy. set down like a well-fitting
shadow over the streets and buildings
Of New York.
The Marquis Mazaccra lived openly
lodged in a suite at the Dresden. And
yet for weeks the district attorney OF
New York had known that this man
ought to be in the electric chair; his
assistants knew II, the police officers OF
the city knew H. On memorandum In
a pigeonhole OF the district attorneys
desk he was written down as guilty
of murder In the first degree-willful.
premeditated murder. The district at
tGrney neglected. nay. It should be
written. refused, 10 apprehend him on
a criminal warrant
Let US not too hastily denounce this
district attorney OF New York He 7s
an incorruptible public servant. able,
persistent, fearless. Why. then, this i'm
munity to the Marquis Mazaccra, az
Of one heaven born, amenable 70 no
lawY Why was he not sent promptly
10 the electric chair. and after to dim
mer audiences? To know this II is
necessary to know first a chapter of
Italian history.
II, when one is dropping his copper
tribute into the dish OF the collector
at Sorrento. he win look to his left
hand along the Bay Of Naples. he will
observe a villa built of ancient sicil-
ian marble olinging like a bit of flung
up sea foam TO little promontory Of
the shore. having for background
demon grove. the thick branches sup
ported by lath trellls. like that com.
monty bulk for vines.
When the singing marquis came
into his inheritance there remained
only this villa. the half-ncre of lemon
grove and tho steps to the sea, out OF
what was once the finest estate in
Salorno Even the treasures Of the
villa had. for the most part. gone else
where i'm exchange for Ira. that the
dissolute father Of the marquis might
maintain to the last day his midnight
court of revels for the ballet of the
NeapoRtan opera. coming up the stone
stairway, laughing. shouting. singing
bits of dissoIute songs. as though
escaped by some enchantment from
the halls % Morgana the Fay. under
the sen.
One night crowned with a wreath
OF wilted roses. brought hy the first
arrivals from their dancing floor. the
old marauis. running forward to wei,
come Lauretta Mattoo--the white
devil OF Naples -atumbed, and was
himself welcomed by the master OF all
devils,
The young marquis. arriving swiftly
from military school at Milan,
found himself TO have inherited
corpse. and little else. Every item OF
his inheritance had gone down the
stone stairway. except this patch Of
garden, this house. this dead body OF
The marquis and an ancient painting
of the Virgin hanging In its heavy
frame in the hall This painting the
old marquis had not dared TO sell. hav.
ing care for the welfare OF his body
into the bargain Ii was painted from
some round faced Tuscan model OF
middle age aud was wholly without
beauty except its colorinE. which was
wonderfully fresh and bright Never.
theless. II was the most adored Virgin
Ih the south OF Europe. with a miracle
TO Its credit beyond that of any Vii.
sin of the cathedrals-no mere
STRENGTHENING OF legs or a healing of
afflicted infants. but the saving OF the
whole village Of Tore del Greco, its
meadows. its crops, its villas. its
churches, its gardens. as well. also. as
ats oipples and It's babies.
The manner of 1t was that on a
certain good Tuesday. with scarce
rumble OF warning. Vesuvius began TO
POM farth ashes. sulphurous fumes
Rnd lava. The alarmed but pious
people OF Tore del Greco began at
once to carry in procession every holy
relic TO be found in any OF the
churches, but without effect. The sui.
phurous cloud remained. the ashes
continued 90 fail. the black, viscous
streams Of lava drew always a little
nearer. scarifyiug the meadows like
hell-vomit When the list OF these
holy objects had been exhausted. a
certain padre of Sorrento remembered
Ihe Virgin Of the Marquis Mazaccra.
and went instantly in boat TO Dor
row It. Il was carried through the
streets OF Tore del Greco behind
lighted candles That night the erup.
ton of Vesuvius ceased. and the mar.