New-York tribune., 1902-05-09
PAUL BORE THE BURDENS.
WEAKER BROTHER USED TO sTAGGER
Under LOADS OF FATHERS BOOKS.

A bovhood friend Of Malcolm and Paul Ford. who
watched them grow up together in Brooklyn. told
the following story Of their early days 10 Tribune
reporter last night.
Gordon Ford the father Of the boys was
stern tall we'll built scotchn1an with almost a
passion for buying books. He lived Brooklyn
Heights in big house that had a library about
sixty feet square I remember the old man and
postofice together I worked in the postofnce
Malcolm was 3 strong, handsome looking boy at
this time, and his father embittered toward
him because he (Macolm) would not obey him
Malcolm attended the Young Mems Christian As
sociation. and believed the idea Of first strong
body and then a strong mind, With both growing
up together. Gordon Ford did like see Nal
colin waste much time or sports His idea was
that his bows ought - dig and delve in his great
library, and make living with their pens in that
way. Malcolm would have none Of It.
After one or two battles with Malcolmn the old
Sco-chman grew eubittered toward him Malcolm
turned 70 his mother for comfort and the father
turned 70 Paul FOR the compa nionship that doubt
less ne had expected TO have from Malcolm Cor
don Ford received books through the mails from
all over the country Paul used to accompany hin,
10 the postofice. The senior Ford would look at
the books as he received them through the parcel
window, and then almost throw them at little
Paul The latter was weakly and wobbly on his
legs. but for all that his part Of the errand to the
postofioe seemed TO be to lug the books home
Sometimes there would be an armful Of these
books, and Pauls little body would fairly stagger
under the load. The father never seemed 70 take
account Of the boy lack Of strength Give him
the books-gve him the books he would exclair
70 me, when suggested that 7 would send them
down 10 the house. With Paul loaded up with
books the father would hustle him along the street
with one hand on his sleeve.
"One day there many books that l made
up my mind to protest against loading them on to
Paul When I suggested that the collection wagon
would soon be going down past the Fords the old
man hared up ard exclaimed: Give him the books
Give him the books" I didn't do it, however as
suring the senior Ford that they were heavier than
| usual. and that the wagon would soon take them
down. Paul looked thousand thanks at me for
this, and for the first time in weeks the father
and boy went off together without Paul carrying
| bundle of books All this time Malcolm who
should have been the burden bearer instead OF
Paul growing stronger and more supple by
the practice OF athletic feats. After a few wears
| the crisis for Malcolm. The father died dis
| inheritng him. Time went on and Malcolm the
| physically magnificent, his deformed little
brother looming up as successful writer with an
4 abundant fortune and income. I don't believe that
Malcolm drank to any extent, but the sight of his
puny brother doing the work and winning the sub
| thought TO win. gall and wormWood 10 him
Doubtless this heightened when. after separa-
tion from his own wife, through OF foliv on
the part OF himself, he saw Paul married and set
| tied in life, surrounded with abundant comforts
| The fire of hatred started away back in the how
| ly affection. leaving him in frame Of mind to
1 do murder