The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-07-01
THE CASTLE IN THE AIR.
HOW A WASHINGTON VETERAN
LIVES IN TREE.


with Every Breeze.
One of the suburban curiosities of
Washington, writes Cleveland (Ohio)
PLaindedLer correspondent, is "Airy
CASTLE" situated at Mount Pleasant, a
mile north of the boundary. Its name
is not a misnomer. It is veritable
castle in the air" It's sole occupant is
A. B. Hayward, a clerk in the pension
office. He is known about town as
''the man who lives in a tree" During
the war he was first sergeant in the
second New Hampshire regiment, and
served three years in the army of the
Potomac. At Cold Harbor a bullet
shattered his right arm, and before night
it had been amputated near the shoul-
der. He has become exceedingly skill
full in the use of his left hand. lie
writes neatly and rapidly, and manages
to do almost everything that other men
do with their two arms, except to play
base ball. He has been in the pension
Office for many years, and is one of the
most faithful and efficient men in the
bureau. He is bachelor.
Two years ago he conceived the idea
of living in tree. He had grown tired
of boarding house life and the close, hot
air of the city in summer. Looking
about he found place that seemed fa-
vorable for carrying out his scheme,
little way outside the boundary and half
mile from his present location. An in
terview with carpenter resulted in the
building of platform twelve feet square,
in a clump of trees, fifteen feet from the
ground. On this platform he pitched
tent, and there he lived for a year. Ac-
cess to his eyrie was had by means of
ladder which every night he pulled up
after him. He took his meals at house
hard by. He found this life so pleasant
and healthful that year ago he deter
mined to build him castle in the air
upon larger scale. He bought four or
five acres of ground where he now is.
There is sharp declivity, studded with
large oak trees, just where pretty street
from the village of Mount Pleasant loses
itself. Here in the encircling arms of
these great oaks. thirty-five feet from
the ground, where the latter is lowest,
looking from distance like an over
grown birdsnest, is ''Airy Castle.n
"Come right upw cheerly called out
Mr.. Hayward to myself and couple of
lady friends, the other evening. We
had gone out in response to hearty in
vitation to visit the castle. We went uF
by steep, inclosed stairway, and found
ourselves on a firm, smooth floor among
the thick branches of the trees. On
every hand were the buds just bursting
into leaf under the gentle breath of
spring. The air was sweet, pure and
exhilarating. After cordially welcom-
ing u.s. he said
"Please excuse me a few minutes
while eat my dinner, which is just
ready. Make yourselves perfectly at
home, within or without the castle, and
will soon rejoin YOU"
With that ne lodged down little
stairway beside the trunk of tree, into
q big box that seemed to be hung under
the platform. This was his dining room
and kitchen A calored boy was bob
bing around making Himself ssaoral,.y Y
useful. The clatter of dishes and the
odor of good coffee gave evidence of
activity in the commissary department.
We wandered obout the platform, which
is fifty feet long and thirty feet wide,
with high railing around the edge and
seats at fIequent intervals. After taking
in the beautiful view of village. hill aud
forest, we entered the castle itself.
1t is octagonal in form, longer one way
than the other. Its extreme dimensions
are thirteen by nine feet. The walls
are of wood, neatly and strongly built to
the height of four feet. From this
point rises double roof of
canvas, securely fastened and firmly sup
ported by poles. The interior is most
charmingly cosy and attractive. ''Isn't
this lovelyln was the duet uttered by the
feminine voices as we entered. DarkAess
was just settling down. A lamp <shone
brightly upon the novel scene. The
walls are profusely adorned with pic
lures, and little shelves and brackets
here and there contain little articles of
bric-a-brac. A comfortable looking bed
stretched across one end. Three or four
unique chairs and hassock or two are
disposed about the room. Upon the
small table is a register in which visitors
enter their names. Glancing over this /
saw the names of many prominent citi-
zens of Washington; Congressman and
officials who had called to enjoy the hos
pitalities of ''Airy Castle"
Mr.. Hayward soon entered with his
right sleeve hanging ens)ty by his side
His face beamed with smiles. He seemed
like one who was at peace with all the
world, and had just had good dinner.
For half an hour he entertained us de-
lightfully, telling us in reply to our
questions all about his life in the tree
tops
''How did you spend the long, severe
winter9' / asked.
81 doubt, he replied. 'if any person
in Washington was any more comfortable
and happy than / was. You see that
little oil stove there9 Well, that kept
the castle warm during the coolest
weather. When the snow lay thick
upon the ground and the wind howled
through the trees, swaying my cot
tage to and fro, I was as snug
and comfortable as you can
imagine. Yes, / am rocked about
sOme when the wind is hioh but like