Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-01

THE CURIOUS CAREER OF OLIVIER PAIN.
A cable dispatch from Paris says Henri Roche
fort has received confirmation OF the report
that Olivier Pain died of fever while in the
camp of Ell Mahdi. NJ Rochefort asserts that
he has advices from Egypt to the effect that
Pain, after leaving Debbeh on camel back, was
murdered a fOrtnight's distance from Cairo by
Arabs paid by Col. Schmidt, Of the Egyptian
by Pain from Knartoum T6a Par;S Teqs,,
tnclines to the belief that Pain was a prisoner
In the hands of the English when he met his
death Rochefort is promoting. theatrical
Performance for the benefit of PAINS family.
NJ. Pain was Frenchman by birth, and
through his mother half Spanish by descent
He was about forty-two years of age and man
aged TO pack these years with life almost as
adventurous as that of any known man. He
In the rising of 1870, and did some of the most
desperate things in that time of passion and
horror. One bullet passed through his chin,
but fortunately went out through his jawbone
without doing any particular harm. He man
aged toescape for while after the breakdown
of the commune, and remained in hiding for
several weeks. 4 soldier, an officer of the line.
to aid him in escaping, lent him his uni
form, but the disguise was penetrated. He was
NJ. Rochefort. Subsequently he was one of the
companions who Joined the editor OF the
LdnteTne in escaping, and he accompanied NJ.
RochefOrt on the latter'S return to Europe.
When the Russo-Turkish war broke out NJ
Pain went as q correspondent, but soon got
mixed up in the struggle. He was in Plevna
so gained the confidence of Osman Pslsha that
he alone OF all the correspondents then in the
pace was allowed TO remain. He became sort
of secretary to the Ottoman commander and it
was from the pen of the young French journal
list that the answer came which Osman was
supposed 10 have written to the Russian de-
mand .or capituiation. After the fall OF the
Turkish stronghold the Russian authorities
OIL to give mp VI Pain to his own people, but
the French attache at the place happened to be
one OF the very officers who had sat on Pains
eourt-martial. and he declined to accept him.
The result was that II. Pain had to go to Rus
STA, and he suffered considerably in prison
there: Then he returned to Paris and spent his
nme In writing for the papers until the state Of
aHairs IN Egypt once more gave to his restless
temperament the opportunity for excitement
and adventure. He made up his mind to reach
the Mahdi, and he carried out the project with
extraordinary energy and daring.
de reached the borders Of the desert, where
ne was abandoned by his escort. nearly killed
Emeh, where he remained for three days. He
escaped the surveillance of the Anglo-Egy ptian
oineials and resumed his adventurous journey
the desert he was arrested by the Mahdi y
Eedettes and placed under guard for two days.
MS papers and references having been duly ex-
quarters of the Mahdi. The latter received him
with affability and shook hands with him, but
not not exactly according to the Mussulman Gus
Shl olivier Pain noticed il and said:
. am not a Christian. Formerly went bv
the Name Of Olivier Pain; but to-day my name
s., for have become Moslem."
us il possible answered FL Mahdi, "that you
nave become a Moslem only for the purpose of
reaching me. In that case, get back to your re-
come Mussulman"
No. said Mr.. Pain, az am good Moslem and
say my prayers three times day."
~, ne conversation was kept up some time
linen the Mahdi gave Pain another shake OF
tAe hand and ordered that an apartment be
gwen him near his own residence. Three days
toum.
He sent to the journal des Debats lively letters
nom the camp of the Mahdi.
~. ne was tail, 1.-the man, Of dark complexion
ana indOmitable will.