The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-01-15
CHAPTER ~.
ToRoNTHAL's BANK.

At Trieste society" is nearly nom
existent. Between different races as
between castes, it is seldom found. The
Austrian officials assume the highest posi-
ton, and take precedence according to
their respective ranks. Generally these
men are distinguished, well educated and
well meaning but their pay is sOsmall
for their position that they are unable
to enter into competition with the trad
ingand banking classes. These latter, as
entertainments are rare among the rich.
and the parties given by the officials are
nearly all unambitious, have taken to
display most Of their wealth in outside
shown the streets by their sumptuous
carriages and ut the theatre by the ex-
travagance of their dress and jewelry.
Among these opulent families that of
Silas Toronthal held distinguished
place.
The head of the house, whose credit
extended far beyond the limits of
Austro- Hungary, was then in his thirty
seventh year. With Nine Toronthal,
who was several years his junior, he
occupied q mansion in the Acquedotto.
He was supposed to be very rich-and
he should have been. Bold and FORUM
rte speculations on the Stock Ex-
| change, large business with the Aus
trian Lloyds and other extensive COM
| panies and the issuing of several impor-
| tant loans had, or ought to have, brought
huge sums of money into his Golfers
| Hence his household was conducted on
Il scale of considerable splendor.
Nevertheless, as Sarcany had said to
Zirone, there was possibility that the
affairs of Sias Toronthal were slightly
embarrassed-at least for time.
Seven years before. when the funds
We're shaken by the Franco-Italian war,
he had received severe blow, and more
recently the disastrous campaign which
ended at Sadowa had sent down the
prices on every Exchange in Europe,
more especially on those OF Austria
Hungary, and chiefly those of Vienna,
| Pesth and Trieste. The necessity of
providing the large amounts then drawn
ont on the current accounts not i'm
probably caused him serious incon-
yenience. But when the crisis had
| passed he doubtless recovered himself,
and if what Sarcany had said was COR
rect it must have been his recent specu-
lations only which had led him into
difficulties.
During the last few months a great
change had come over Toronthal. His
Whole look had altered without his
knowledge He was not. as formerly,
master of himself. People had noticed
that he no longer looked them in the
face, rs had been his custom, but rather
eyed them askance. This had not es-
capped the notice of Nine Toronthal, a
confirmed invalid, without energy, and
suhmissiyeness itself who knew very
little about his business matters.
And ii some disaster did menace
Toronthal, 1t must be admitted that he
would get very little sympathy lie
bad many customers, but few friends.
The high opinion he held about his posi-
tion, his native vanity the airs he
gnye himself on ali occasions, had moi
done him any good, Aud above all the
people of Trieste looked upon him as .
foreigner because he was born at Ragusa
aud hence was Dalmatian. No family
ties attached him to the town to which
he had come fifteen years before to lay
the foundation of his fortune.
Such, then, was the position of Tor
onthais bank. Although Sarcany haC
his suspicious, nothing had occurred tC
give rise to n rumor that it was in diff
culties. Its credit remained mistaken
And Count Smdorf, after realizing hii
investments, had deposited with IL