Joseph Steepleton

Tales of a Lesser Child Joseph Steepleton

Michael Crandell was the most hated person in New York City. He did nothing except being born the son of Richard Crandell, who was convicted and sentenced to 150 years for fraud for running a Ponzi scheme through his investment firm. Richard was slick and a smooth talker; his late father-in-law said he could Sell Ice to Eskimos. Summers were Michael's life; the Hudson estate was a marvel. It was made for children; it was a welcoming, loving, and adventurous place. Michael would say," In my dreams of happiness, it was and is always at Hudson Place. Grandpa Al made sure I was happy whenever I came for the summer; he had an adventure planned for each week. There were camping trips, canoeing, hiking, and just fun things to do every day. I would wake each morning with an extensive list of things I wanted to do each day and then would fall into bed that night, exhausted, only having accomplished a few of the items. Hudson Place was my Nirvana and Grandpa Al, the proprietor."