The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-14
ARABI's MILDLY CAPTIVE.
An Interesting Letter from the Wife Of stone
Pasha to De Chairs Mother.
london Times, Ang as.I

London Times, Aug.2sl
By the courtesy of Mrs De Chair we
were enabled to publish the following let
ter received by her of Mrs. Stone, wife of
Stone Pasha:
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Aug. IL, 1882.
DEAR MADAM: A mother myself, fully
able to appreciate the deep distress into
which YOU have been thrown by the news
which the telegraphed to England concern
ing the capture of your noble young mid
shipman son, it is with peculiar pleasure
that 1 fulfil promise made to him few
days since, to ''write to his mother, hop
ing to give you at least some alienation of
your sorrow by assuring you of his perfect
health and comfortable surroundings dur
ing his captivity. God grant that even be-
fore this should reach you the news of his
exchange and restoration to his ship may
be telegraphed to youl By the circum-
stances of service, my husband
and my only son were absent from
Cairo at the time of the bonn
bardment of Alexandria. and
I found myself with three daugh-
tiers cut off from them and isolated, the
only family of Christians in the European
quarter of the city. While making vain
attempts to escape, we heard one night
fearful uproar in the streets, and learned
that it was caused by the reception of an
English prisoner of high grade; most pee-
pie said itw Admiral Seymour who had
been captured and brought to the capital
Then we heard it was not the Admiral,
but some other high official Truth was
difficult to learn in Cairo in those days
Finally came, to my great relief, the order
permitting US to depart, and then the
under minister of war requested me to visit
Z I,o Iich a
in which he was treated, and thus to be
able to deny reports which he said were
circulated in Alexandria to the effect that
he was cruelty treated. He desired me to
speak freely with the captive, ask any
questions and propose any change of treat
ment that might add to his comfort.
Accompanied by one of my daughters,
I drove to the place where he was guarded,
expecting to find some veteran officer of
the navy closely confined. Arrived there,
I found that the place looked anything else
than prison. 1t was the school of the
young Egyptian princess little palace in
the centre of a beautiful garden, near
Abdin Palace.
We entered pretty reception-room, and
fair, young English lad came forward
milling to meet me, saying he was the
prisoner Ihad come to visit. He was the
surroundings of such luxury as can be
seen in the Egyptian capital. The apart
ment that he occupied is that of the Ke-
dives eldest son, and his north country
clothing had been replaced by an elegant
suit of white linen, much more suitable to
the climate of Cairo in August / laugh
ingly told him he looked to me more like
a young English prince at home than a
prisoner of war, and he replied that he
was called the guest of Arab Pasha,' and
that he had only to express wish for any
thing, except liberty, and it was gratified
if possible.
/ remained with him an hour and a half
in pleasant conversation, and could find
nothing in which to add to his comfort
but some English books and few draw
ing materials Two young Egyptians
who speak English remained constantly
with him and seemed to take pride in
doing everything in their power to please
him. The young men followed me to my
carriage and promised to serve him faith
fully. / wish you could see him as ] did,
it would comfort your heart to see him
looking so cheerful and brave. wrote to
the minister, thanking him for his kind
ness to the young gentlemen and urging.
upon him the duty of humanity. He re-
piled, giving me his sacred promise that
he should be carefully guarded from vio-
lence and well cared for and all my sug
gestions strictly carried out fcaiied upon
colonel who is under
great obligations to my hus-
band, and who is devoted to my son, and
charged him to watch over the young
prisoner and protect him as he would pro-
tect my son, and had his promises. Should
he need any pecuniary assistance, this ofh.
Ger has orders to do all that may be neces
sary on my husbands account. He viii
be q faithful friend i'm case of need Ma
terially. your dear son is perfectly COM