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

WIFI A2NeEY hTeeEGs
One of the suburban curiosities of
Washington, writes Cleveland (Ohio)
Ptdindeater correspondent, is "Airy
CASTLE" situated at Mount Pleasant, a
mile north of the boundary. Its name
is not a misnomer. 1t is a 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
1t 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 a tree. He had grown tired
of boarding house life and the close, hot
about he found place that seemed fa-
vorable for carrying out his scheme, a
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 clump of trees, fifteen feet from the
ground. On this platform he pitched
tent, and there he lived for 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 80 pleasant
and healthful that year ago he deter
mined to build him a 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"
'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 UP
by steep, inclosed stairway, and found
ourselves on 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 US, 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
l will soon rejoin YOU"
With that he lodged down a little
stairway beside the trunk of tree, into
big box that seemed to be hung under
| the platform. This was his dining room
| and kitchen. A colored boy was bob
bing around making Himself 'aaa0ral!ty
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 frequent 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. '1snt
this lovely2n was the duet uttered by the
feminine voices as we entered. Darkness
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 en-)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-
hghtfully, 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 l was. You see that
little oil stove there2 Well, that kept
the castle warm during the coolest
] weather. When the snow lay thick
npon the ground and the wind howled
through the trees, swaying my cot
/ tage to and fro, l was as snug
/ aud comfortable as you can
imagine. Yes, / am rocked about
some when the wind is high, hut / like