The Evening critic., 1884-07-30
THE MAN WHO LIVES IN A TREE.
Some Further Particulars of the
Novel House Among the Leaves
and Branches.

Some Further Particulars of the
Novel House Among the Leaves
and Branches.
Washington Is the only city in the coun-
try that can boast of a citizen who lives up
tree, at least we have not heard Of any
other city Boosting of such distinction.
Last October CRITIC reporter discovered
this bigh-minded individual and published
the first account of his leafy abode.
Since then he has moved up another tree,
larger one, and nearer the top. This
deDizen Of the treetops, as heretofore stated,
Is Pension Office clerk named A. b. Hay
ward. He is rather good-looking man
Of middle-sge and intelligent appearance,
and wears full beard and dresses with
good taste. He is pleasant, and treats
bis numerous visitors courtcously add
takes pleasure In entertaining them, which
is rather surprising to great many who
expect to find him a cross, grabbed and ex-
elusive person.
He does not go to extremes, however, and
shows no signs Of crankiness except in his
singular choice Of place to dwell. The
last tree in which the reporter found him
Is situated like the other-in Mount Pleas
ant. but In different part Of the village.
The first one was on the old Eslin estate,
and the present one occupies beautiful
view near Oak avenue and Fourteenth
street road, just opposite General Spears
residence, and is not so exclusive as the
other.
The tree Is very large walnut, aud
stands near the top Of hill.
The dwelling is like the former one, but
on more elaborate plan and occupies moro
elevated situation. 1t consists Of q staunch
platform 1S feet wide and 80 feet long, built
around the trunk of the tree and supported
by four heavy timbers. The platform Is 81
feet from terra frma, and in tho centre of
of this the little house is built. Great taste
is displayed in the architecture, and the
workmanship and materials are of the best
quality. The house is 10 by ii feet and of
hexagonal shape. 1t Is built solid with
tongue and grooved boards distance Of five
feet, and this is surmounted by frame
work that comes to point on top and gives
the structure height and shape.
The upper portion is covered with can
vas curtains with wooden rollers in the
| bottom, which can be hoisted by means of
| ropes to any distance desired, and lowered
| 60 far as to preserve the occupant from rain
or sunshine. The canvas is so arranged
| that 1t can be elevated at any point aud
lowered at another. 1t is reached by a
closed staircase, fitted up with hand-rails,
| which reaches nearly to the ground. The
ascent of the first six feet is made by step
ladder, which can be drawn up and placed
on the first landing or platform and the
door closed and locked. The little house Is
fitted up with Brussels carpet an oil
stove, two patent wire bedsteads, chairs.
writing-desk lamp brackets, clothes-presS
and everything that could be desired. There
is lots of room on the pavilion outside
which extends all around the house, and IL
protected by neat railing.
On one end Of the pavilion he has com
Portable hammock erected, and camp-stools
and rocking chairs abound. He seems tc
take great precaution against intrusion, and
the entrance at tho head of the stairs, which
Is some distance from the edge of the plat
form, Is secured by trap.door, which he
securely bolts.
He takes his meals at house In tho vii.
lage, but sleeps and spends all his spare
time in his leafy bower. He has large
circle of friends, and often one from New
York or some other city stops night with
him for the novelty Of the thing.
| He gives several reasons for living In
such place. He says 1t is desirable fol
sanitary purposes, and he enjoys the quiet
and the beautiful scenery. He is given to
literature and has quite library of books
and magazines, and is pretty we'll posted on
current events and history. After drink
ing glass of lemonade with his host thu
reporter was accorded the privilege Of the
library, and one of the first things tina
caught his eye was scrap-booS, in which
were several articles clipped from papers OF
the war, and number of poems which h
had written and which bore his name o
initials. It is whispered around the villag
that his mind has taken n matrimonial
turn and he is soon going to have partne
| to climb the tree with him.