The herald., 1897-12-22

Lubec, Nov. 24.-One of the most
original characters in Eastern New
England is David d. Dana brother of
the late editor of the Sun,-a man who
for the first fifty years of his life led
career as eventful as the most restless
could desire. while the last twenty have
been peaceful in the extreme. On
small farm in the most easterly town
in the United States, with few neigh
bors and eight miles from the nearest
village. Mr. Dana has led the quiet life
of a farmer while his brother has been
making the name of Dana famous
throughout the country.
Mr.. Dana is a familiar figure here
abouts. and even the small boys know
and salute "Dany" whenever he comes
into town. He is Il little below the or
binary height, his shoulders are bent
with the labors of his farm, his head
and beard whitened by the frosts of his
seventy years; but his step is still
sprghtly and his eye as keen as an
eagles. His characteristic costume con-
sists of a thick Scotch cap a long rub
ber coat, faded blue overalls, and long
legged cowhide boots.
Like most other Maine farmers, Mr.
Dana has found it no easy task to eX-
tract a living from the reluctant soil.
Indeed, but for the trifling pension of
seventeen dollars q month which the
Government pays Mr. Dana for his ser
vices during the civil war, he might
often be in want even of the necessaries
of life. He is by no means hermit, as
some have called him, but is always
ready with a joke or d quip, and has a
kindly word for every one. Being a
warm advocate of Free Silver and
Bryan, he has to stand great deal Of
good-natured chatting from his Repub-
lican neighbors, but it takes pretty
quick-Witted man to come out ahead of
him in an argument.
For years the people hereabouts did
not know how to take Mr.. Dana. He
is man who enjoys conversation, and
his varied and eVentful career natural
ly furnished material for many an
anecdote in which the narrator himself
played an important part. Among his
neighbors, however, Mr. Danc's stories
did not at first gain the credit to which
they We're entitled. In fact, not until
Lawyer j. II. Gray of Lubec. through
correspondence with Paul Dana, proved
beyond d doubt the identity of David
D. Dana, would people here believe that
he was in reality a brother OF the fam.
Gus editor.
Mr.. Dana's home is small, unpaint-
ed farm house, a story and a half high
with barn and shed at a little distance
The approach of a stranger is greeted
by the terrific barking Of three black
and white pups, which the owner keeps
partly to protect his poultry from fox
es, but chiefly because he delights in
dogs.
Il haven't any children" he said
later, land so l take my puppies along
for company"
Mr.. Dana was found by the writer in
his sunny sitting-room, the table
strewed with daily papers and an easy
chair drawn up in front of the stove.
He made his guest welcome and seemed
willing to talk,-especiaily as state
ments have recently been published
about him that are wholly misleading.
Among other things the following ap-
peared in a Boston paper: Just what
Mr.. Dana's income is or from whence
he receives the remittance which comes
regularly every month, no one seems to
know; though it has been rumored that
his brother, the Well-knoWn editor, pro-
vided for ali his wants"
"Whoever wrote that" said Mr..
Dana, "knew nothing whatever about
the facts of the case. The only remit
tanoes 1 get are from my pension. My
brother has never helped me. If ever