, 1874-02-15
THE STORY OF PASl0.
An Episode in Attic Banking.
from the Ne,o 1rork Erenfng Post.

from the Ne,o FORK Erentng Post.
II. George Pcsrot has cast much light upon
tho manners and customs Of the Greeks during
the period of their most brilliant orators in q
series OF articles contributed to the Reu4e de.
Dcuz 1fondes entitled, "Domosthcnes and Hie
Contemporaries" Ono of these monographs ID
especially interesting for the picture it gives ua
OF the Greek bankers Of the day while the story
OF the suit brought by tho son Of Sopnos, Minis
ter to Satyros, Prince Of the Bosphoros. against
the banking firm OF pasio, is ~ interesting in
its details rs many Of the causes celebros-aa
minutcly elaborated Us one OF Emile GabotiAu's
novels.
It WAS the custom among Athenihn bankers to
deposit money III tho
PRESENCE OF THIRD PARTY,
and this Was deemed safer than written re-
ceipt. This third party might be the clerk (who
was usually the slave) of the banker, and it is
upon this custom that the plot Of tho story OF
"pasio" hinges.
at The close OF tho Poloponneainn war there
existed at Athens large banking-house-
~ ''Archcstrates d Antisthenes.'' Archestrates
had a slave named Pasio, who soon distin-
suished himself by his intelligence aud activ-
ity in business; so much SO that his master
manumittcd him, and finally, retiring from
busipess with hi partner. handed over to
him the bank- 1t is certain that in 3?i B. G.
Pasio was head Of the house, which became very
prosperous and important. Among his custom
ers was the wealthy foreigner SpoGos, favorite Of
Satyros. Prince Of the Bosphoros. The latter
had commercial treaty with the Athenians,
which was found mutually profitable, the harbor
of PirmoB receiving largo quantities. OF grain
from the Bosphoros.
sorA.os HAD eoH.
who wished to SEQ Athens. His father placed
at hiB disposition 8 handsome sum in money,
and sent him to the PlrnoB Tith several
cargocs OF wheat and other provisions. The
young man was to combine businesB With pleas
uret dispose OF the ca-gocs to the best advantage
for cash, ard try and turn penny with the pro-
ccedB on the Athenian Bouyse. He had letters
from Sopnos to Pasio, who Of course, received
him handsomely, introduced hlm to tho best
society, doubtless " showed HIM tho elephant"
possibly instructed him how to flight tho tiger,
helped him to sell his merchandise, received the
proceeds on deposit and promised to put him
" on the inside track" Of the most promising
ventures OF the bank.
After few weeks Of rhis pleasant combina-
tion OF business and pleasure
DISAGREEAnLE sUHrRIsE
WAS in store for young Sopnos. By the arrival
OF ship from homo news was brought of a
Prince Satyros, who had cast him into prison.
His property had been confscatea, and Satyros
waa about to send deputies to Athens to lay
hands upon all the merchandise and money Of
tue former Minister. The trado.of the Princes
OF tho Bosphoros was too important to
Athena to be particular about such tritles.
Soppos Minister and SopDos dlsY1aced we're two
different persons.
In despair tho son Of Sopnos consulted hia
good friend Pasio. That willy banker Affected to
taao tha greatest interest IN his troubles 1t
waa Of the first moment to tbs bank not to be
called upon to pay up the money which it WAS
turning to 60 profitable account. Paaio advised
the youth to deliver to tho deputies the unsold
merchandise and such ready cash 30 he might
have on hand ~ for tho capital On deposit with
Pasio, he advised him to
CONCEAL. ITS EXISTENCE,
and to dec!Are that he had drawn the last o60l0s
for his personal expenditures, xud was even il.
debt to Pasio and several other citizens for mon
eys advanced upon the credit and reputation Of
his father. Pasio, for example, should pretend
he Was creditor to the nmount OF 800
drAchmas; another friend would SGT up similar
claims; I'LL should pretend the greatest uneaai-
ness aa to their advances. Thanks to this
comedy. the deputies would understand that
!. where there is naught, tho King loses hls
rights
The cfedulous foreigner was delighted at this
advice, anu chucRled to think of the good trick
be was about to play unon satyros. He pressed
the hands Of Pas1o with warmth. called him his
savior and determined to follow his plan to the
letter. Meanwhile tie astnte banker was a.
ready planning how to become tho hoir Of both
6opnos and Satytos.
IT WOULD De sHAsrE
TO turn over to this ependthrltt seven or eight
silver talents {about 0,000), which could be 80
proftably employed by tue bank.
The young man, meanwhile, found himself
at Athens very much in tho position Of = Rus
sian Prince at Paris, who, after having been
feted and caressed by society. having been
prominent figure on the boulevard, 1t the
1nnr
,anuot keep it q secret, that all bis Russian
has been conhscated. So that, in- !
stead OF being ablo to draw a, sight upon Ills ]
3ankers, he is in danger Of being imprisoned |
or dobt.
A further peril threatened young sopnos,
lint OF being demanded for extradition, and |
here waa 10 telling what terrible tortures he !
and his father might have to endure. |
He determined then to take ship for Byzan- !
um, where large sums were due his father. aud |
le would run no risk c.; lie and liberty. Before !
he called upon easio for the pur- |
3ose of
DRAWING HIS BALANCE,
rhilo thanking him for his services. The banker |
eceiyed him with politeness, but with some /
ho acknowledged the debt, but !
That lttlo ''joint account" had not bccn
losel, and it would take some littlo !
inc to manage it to a successful Issue. The
ieut Was more annoyed at the delay than alarmed.
de had too much confidence in Pasio. But !
s dug after day he was put off by the same ex-
uses, bis suspicious wero excited. Finally he
ent two Of his friends to Pasio, one Of whom,
lenexenes, was citizen OF Athens. Pnsio now
hauges tone, and declares ~ that he does not
now what is meant. He had no funds Of tho
eiyed any. The stranger himself had declared
o the deputies OF Satyros that, on the contrary,
e was in debt to tue bank to the amount Of 500
rachmas." No other answer could be got from