Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-09
TORONrHAL's BANK.


At Trieste society is nearly non-ex-
istent. Between different races, as be-
tween different castles, 1t is seldom found.
The Austrian officials assume the highest
position, and take precedence according
TO their respective ranks. Generally these
men are distinguished, well educated and
Well-meaning; but their pay is 80 small
for their pos tiOn that they are unable to
enter into competition with the trading
and banking classes. These.latter, as en-
tertainments are rare among tue rich, and
the parties given by the officials are nearly
always unambitiOus, have taken to dis
play most of their wealth in outside show
in the streets by their sumptuOus car
Tiages, and at the theatre by the eXtrava-
gance OF their dress and ieWelrv.
Amongst these Opulent families that of
Silas TOrOnthal held a distinguished
place.
The head of the house, whose credit ex-
tended far beyond the limits of Austria
Hungary, was then in his 37th year
With Nine. TorOnthal, who was several
years his junior, be occupied mansion
in the AcquedOtto. He. WAS supposed to
be very rich-and he should have been.
Bold and fortunate speculati0ns on the
stock exchange, large business with the
Austrian LlOyds and other extensive COM
panies, and the issuing Of several impor-
tant loans, mad, or ought To have, brought
huge sums into his Golfers. Hence his
household was conducted on scale OF
considerable splendOr.
Nevertheless, as Ssrcany. had said TO
ZirOne, there was a possibility that the
affairs of Silas TOronthal were slightly
em barrassed-at least for time. Seven
years before, when the funds were shaken
by the Franco Italian war, he had re-
ceived a severe blow, and more recently
the disastrous campaign which ended at
SadOwa had sent down the prices on
every Exchange in Europe, more espe-
cially on tEose of Austria-Hungary, and
chiefly those of Yiehna, Pesth ana Trieste.
The necessity OF providing the large
amounts then drawn out on the current
accounts not imprObably caused him Sc
rious Inconvenience. But when the crisis
had passed, he doubtless recovered him
self, and if what Sarcany had said was
correct, IL must have been his recent
speculations only which had led him into
difficulties.
During the last few months great
change had come over TorOntbal. His
whole look had altered without his knOWl-
edge. He was not, as formerly, master Of
himself People bad noticed that he no
longer looked them In the face, as had
been HIS custom, but rather eyed them
askauce. THIS had not escaped the notice
OF Madame TorOnthal, a confirmed in
valid, without energy and submissive
ness itself, who knew very little about Ills
business matters.
And If some disaster did menance To-
rOnthal 1t must be admitted that ne
would get very little sympathy. lie nad
many customers, but few friends The
high opinion he held about his position,
his native vanity, the airs he gave him-
self on all occasions. had not done him
any good. And above all the paople OF
Trieste looked upon him as foreigner
because he was born at Ragu5a, and
hence was Dalmatian. No family ties
had attached him 10 the town 70 which ne
had come fifteen years before TO lay the
foundations Of his fortune.
Such then WAS the position OF Toron-
thaPs bank. Although Sarcany hSd ms
suspici0ns, nothing had occurred TO give
rise to a rumor that it was IN difficulties.
It's credit remained mistaken. And Count
sandOrf, after realizing his investments,
had deposited with IL "A cOnsiderable-on
condition that should always be available
at twenty-four hours notice.
IL may seem surprising that connec.
ton Of any sort should have been formed
between bank Of such high reputation
and such very dubious character as
Sarcany. 1t had existed, nevertheless,
I y
n good deal OF business with the Regency
of Tripoi, aud Sarcany had been EN-
ploycd as kind OF broker and general
confidential agent, entrusted with the
disposal OF certain wine and other gHt1
under circumstances In which IL was not
always desirable that the Trieste banker
should appear in person. Having been
engaged IN these and other rather sus-
piclous schemes. Sarceny got his loot, or
rather his hand, into the bank; and con-
tinued 20 carry on sort of system OF eN'
tOrtion on Inr0nthal, who was not, now
ever, quite ~ hismercy, lnasmuch as nc
materlal proof exlbscd OF their mutual
dealings. fint a.bankei's position s one
Of extfehe dailcacy. A word may rum
him. Aud swcapy knew how TO taAe all
vantage OF this. .t.
But rorOnthAl knew what he was about
he had parted with certain sums, winch
had been dissiphr'd ih The gambling
houses with the reok leasuese Of an AlNen'
turer whp ttkea M thought ot the iutuft'
and then saroany becoming 100 unortu
nate. the banker alddonly drew ne purse
airlnga, aud refused further credit SAT
oany thranaoneBg Jor0nfhal remainso
firm. Ana IA WI safe ind0ing 20, aiiel
an, for Harcnny bad no proofs, ana no ono