Evening journal., 1913-06-25
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Charles A. Dana and the
Government Spy
By Holland

None Of those who were associated
for any length Of time with Charles
A. Dana, for thirty years the great
personal force of the New York Sun,
failed to observe that he was man
Of most intense loyalty and devotion
in his friendships With him a friend
meant not merely a companionable
person. one to be greeted with cor
diality or to hold pleasant conversa-
tions with. but he was one whom Mr..
Dana gripped and held in the ever
lasting bonds of confidence and real
affection.
OF course there was the reverse
quality, and Mr. Dana did not try
TO conceal his antipathies. Some Of
them were as intense as were his
friendly associations. no one was
permitted to speak ill or even trihing-
ly Of a friend of Mr. Dana without
learning that the great editor was
sure 10 come stoutly to the defense
Of that friend. He understood human
nature we'll enough to know that
everyone has weaknesses, and the
Weakness of his friends we're known
to him and often regretted. They,
however, we're never made the Occa-
sion of any break I'm his relations.
This staunchness of friendship, as
well as the intensity of his personal
antagonisms. explained much which
TO the public which read his news
paper seem inexplicable.
was riding with Mr.. Dana In
Washington one morning. the late
William NJ. Laffan, who succeeded
him in the ownership of the Sun. be-
ing also of the party Mr. Dana in
structed the cabman to drive slowly,
and ! observed that this was done
so that he might have opportunity
to detect in the throng on the side
walk Of Pennsylvania avenue some
personal friends, or at least might
see in that throng some recognizable
face.
Suddenly he said Tell the driver
to whip up the horses"
The horses started at a lively pace,
and as they did so Mr.. Dana held his
newspaper so that It shielded his
face
A few moments later he looked ont
furtvely toward the sidewalk and
then said "I saw "So-and-So." men
tionlng the name of a prominent sem
ator. 81 did not want him to see me.
He would have hailed the cab and
insisted in holding conversation with
me. He would have smiled the smile
Of a hypoorite, for he has hatred for
me in his heart. He is a charlatan.
He would stick dagger in you while
ehaiSing hands"
Mr laffan said "Why. that sena-
tor has a national reputation. He Is
thought to be not only a great man,
but a good one"
"Of such shadows regulations are
often made Mr.. Dana returned.
A few moments later Mr.. Dana sud-
denly cried out: Stop the carriage.
Tell the driver northumberland
curb"
AS the carriage drew TO the curb
Mr.. Dana leaped from II and with
both hands outstretched called a man
who was walking there by his first
name. The man started turned and
in a moment was receiving Mr.. Dana's
most cordial, almost ELUSIVE. greet
ings. AS the two men stood there
chatting Mr. Laffan took heed of the
personal appearance of the stranger.
We noticed that he seemed TO be
somewhat poverty stricken. His gar
ments reflected age and constant use.
He wore rather rustic frock coat.
His waistCoat was buttoned awry.
Films of tobacco juice stuck to the
corners of his lips; but of these things
Mr.. Dana took no heed. The two men
were in earnest conversation for fif-
teen minutes.
AS Mr. Dana reentered the carriage
he turned and waved his hand TO
his friend, and then said:
81 have not seen that man since
! ! lived in Washington as assistant
secretary of war. lie was of immense
| service to me then; he risked his life
more than once, for he was gov.
/ ernment spy He brought back to ul
from inside the Confederate lines
valuable Information. have nevoi
forgotten him. He seemed 10 m'
somewhat hard up, and he is gettinl
to be an old man. I must make som'
inquiries about him. for he would tel
me little about himself He Is too
proud. Perhaps | can find a way t.
help him."
The pleasure of that meeting will
the old friend completely bridged tn
almost immmeasurable gulf betweel
the distinguished senator and thu
man who was hanging upon thl
fringes of humble Washington life
And that was characteristic of MI
Danas friendships.
! Copyright, 1913. by Z. j. Edwards
All rights reserved)