The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-31
ONE WASHINGTON CRANK.
A Pension Clerk Who Lives in a Tree Offers
His House for Sale.

Washington Post.
1t was a little before o'clock when a reporter
arrived on the ground. The occupant of Airy
Castle was absent and there was no one else
upon the scene. The peculiar residence was
easily discernible Between two large oak trees
about thirteen feet from the ground, was a plat
form, which rested partly on the limbs of the
trees and partly on five posts. The platform
l2X7 IL feet bore at one end the structure
which had been disnfed by the name of a house
Its sides, for the height of three feet, were of
board, while the roof was OF canvas now spot
ted and widowed by the weather The canvas
fell down over the sides and the rear while in
front it thrown aside to permit the free &C
ton of a narrow door. There were no windows
in the novel structure, and the only evidence of
life was a small stool on the platform in front of
the house, and the ladder by which the occu-
pant climbed TO his elevated abode.
During this investigation several residents of
the vicinity had gathered through curiosity. A
few moments longer delay and the owner of the
castle was seen coming over the fields in COM
pany with spare-huiIt long whiskered man.
who seemed to be known to small boy as the
Cracker crank, because his diet is said to con
sist of crackers and vegetables. Mr.. Hayward is
a one armed man, about forty years of age, with
long brown whiskers. slightly tinged with gray
He soon procured the key to his home, and the
reporter, climbing the ladder, was ushered into
the interior. This it must be confessed, was
far more entertaining than the exterior view
had permitted. Space was limited, Of course,
but it was utilized in the best possible fashion.
The inside of the walls was lined with light car
pet and rugs covered the floor A low cot, on
which rested checkered counterpane stood un
der the caves. Adjoining it was a wicker rock
ingchair while an oblong wooden chest,
washstand and table combined an oil-stove, a
lamp. piece of looking glass, and toilet articles
completed the list of necessarieS. Considerable
taste, however, seemed to have been exercised
in the ornamentation of the room. fancy cards,
photographs, books, etc, being arranged as
decorations with excellent effect. The ridge pole
contained several hooks, which served for the
time being as resting place for cane. There
was q cosy appearance about the room which
seemed at variance with its peculiar position.
Il have built myself another house in the
trees about half mile from here on lot
which | have purchased over toward Piney
Branch, said Mr.. Hayward as he stretched his
hand to the north 1T is nearly forty feet
from the ground, octagon in shape a good deal
larger than this and built of wood and canvas l
have not moved into it yet, but will leave here
very soon."
''How did you come to chose dwelling of this
kndlH
1t presented many advantages. While in the
ARMY lost this arm at the battle of Cold Har
bor-l contracted a disease which made it neces
sary for me always to breathe the purest air and
particularlyto avoid the heat of summer Ham
mocks or tents not as preferable to I've in as
this house. When | leave to go to the Office in
the morning I take my ladder over to a neigh
boring house. At night l draw my ladder up
after me and ] am safe as possible"
do you find your health mprcved!'
81 was never better, Ell ther mentally or physi-
cally; / am perfectly at home here. In summer
l sit out on my platform and enjoy the sunset
and listen to the birds, and in winter the oil
stove warns my room very comfortably. No
windows! don't need any In summer l raise
the roof, and in winter L fasten it down. Enough
light penetrates the canvass for all ordinary pur-
poses. used to be alarmed at the storms. but
have become used to them now. and do not con-
Germ myself about them"
Mr. Hayward then descended the ladder One
of the trustees was still absent. There was a
consultation among those interested, afterwhich
Mr.. Duncanson, the auctioneer, announced that
owing to disagreement, the sale had been in
definitely postponed