Using the generic precompiled version of MariaDB 5.5.32 (.tar.gz) on a Debian Wheezy (that features a fancy colored output for init scripts) and using the provided mysql.server script result on garbled output, here is an example :

root@server:~# /etc/init.d/mysql restart

Shutting down MySQL

[.ok 

Starting MySQL

[ .k

root@server:~# /etc/init.d/mysql start

Starting MySQL

. ok

(where the "ok" char on the first and third garbled line is in green color as well as the "k" on the second one)

The status output is correct as the init script doesnt outputs dots like the start/stop commands :

root@server:~# /etc/init.d/mysql status

[ ok ] MySQL running (8964).

Here is the output on a Debian Wheezy using the .deb packaged version of MariaDB 5.5.32 :

root@server:~# /etc/init.d/mysql restart

[ ok ] Stopping MariaDB database server: mysqld.

[ ok ] Starting MariaDB database server: mysqld . . . ..

[info] Checking for corrupt, not cleanly closed and upgrade needing tables..

ps: the same seems to happen with MySQL5.6 mysql.server init script.