The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-05-24

better in my life, said Hayward, "and my
healt has not been so good since left the
army, 20 years ago, as it has been since l
took up my residence here. | am stronger
physically and mentally. In Summer it is
delightful l am in perfect shade, the
birds are singing all around me, and | am
not troubled at all with mosquitnes-did
not here more than three or four last Sum-
mer."
While we were talking an occasional
squalT of wind sweeping along the hillside
would cause the trees to sway and give the
little house a motion somewhat like that of
boat rocked waves. This suggested an
other inquiry.
"But,'' we ventured to ask, edo you
not find it somewhat uncomfortable mp here
in Winter? And does not your house vi
brate occasionally in heavy storms so as to
brighten you lest it blow down ?"
at is not the least uncomfortable" was
the reply. "My little stove will always
keep the house warm enough. 1 was
little timid at first when there was heavy
gale, but / soon got used to it, and now [
don't mind it at all. .,f
"And you see what fine view have
got from my veranda, he continued. "You
can look over Rock Creek and the inter-
vening landscape. Then, when | leave in
the morning, l simply take my ladder over
to a neighboring house, where / get my
meals, and at night, when [ am going to
bed, I haul it up, and thus am free from
any fears of midnight attacks by burglars"
So firmly impressed is Mr. Hayward
with the advantages of living as he does
that he has staid in his little dwellsng ever
since it was built, with the exception of a
few weeks when some friends of his were
visiting Washington. 1t was then more
convenient for him to stay at hotel so
that he might enjoy the society of his
friends. The city air, however, greatly
impaired his general health, nor did he re-
cuperate until he had returned to his airy
abode.
The first thought that might occur to
the reader would be that the proprietor of
GARY Castle" as it is called, is a confirmed
crank: But such is by no means the case,
or we were woefully deceived, for we con-
fess to having watched pretty sharp for
Symptoms" On the contrary, we found
him Intelligent, and about as leve[headed
a person as one commonly comes across;
affable, and withal having considerable lit
erary taste, and some ability as writer Of
newspaper paragraphs.
He has purchased fine piece of prop
erty, he says, on the northern slope of Mt
Pleasant, on which ia number Of grand
old oaks, Here he intends erecting another
castle in the air, Indeed, we were assured
that steps had already been taken toward
its construction. Mr., Hayward has not
fully settled on the plan, but thinks his
new house will be octagon in shape and
about 10 by 16 feet. This will be placed
about SO feet above the ground, in order
to secure foothold, so to speak, on large
limb, which is expected to materially aid
in the support of the structure.
Visiting one who is living in the tree
tops, brings to our mind the story of the
interview between Peter the Great and the
English Ambassadors, when the eccentric
monarch held his reception in the maintop
of a man. of-war, and the puffy, cumbersome
lords, not being able to climb up the fat:
tuck shpopds over the top rim, crawled
through the lubber=holes to meet their
august host, who no doubt smiled inwaFdly
at their discontinue and lack of seaman
ship,