The Florida star., 1902-06-06
THE FORD BROTHERS.
Stories Of Paul, the Author. and Malcolm,
the Athlete.


the Athlete.
A DoyhOod friend Of the late Malcolm
Ford, the well known athlete, and the
late Paul Ford, the novelist and writer
on historical subjects, who watched
them grow up together in Brooklyn,
told the following story Of their early
days to New York Tribune reporter
the other night:
Gordon Ford, the father of the boys,
was stern, tall, well built ScOtchman,
with almost passion for buying books.
He lived on Brooklyn Heights in big
house that had library about sixty
feet square. / remember the old man
and Paul Oh account of their coming
to the Brooklyn postoffice together.
worked in the postotfice. Malcolm was
strong, handsome looking boy 1T this
time, and his fGther was imbittered to-
ward him because he (AIalcolmJ would
not obey him. Malcolm attended the
Young Mems Christian association and
believed in the idea of first a strong
body and then u strong mind, with both
growing up together. Gordon Ford did
not like to see Malcolm waste so much
time on sports. His idea was that his
boys ought TO dig and delve in his great
library and make living with their
pens in that way. Malcolm would have
none of ii.
After one or two battles with Mai
,ho IL
tered toward him. Malcolm turned To
his mother for comfort, and the father
turned TO Paul for the companionship
that doubtless he had expected TO have
from Malcolm. Gordon Ford received
books through the mails from all over
the country. Paul used to accompany
him to the pOstotfice. 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 waDbly on
his legs. but for all that his part Of
the errand TO the pOstOlfice 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 ia
ther never seemed To take account of
the boys lack of strength. Give him
the books. give him the booksr he
would exclaim TO me when l suggested
that | would send them down TO the
house. With Paul loaded up with
books. the father would hustle him
along the street with one hand on his
sleeve.
lone day there were so many books
that | made up my mind to protest
against loading them on to Paul. When
l suggested that the collection wagon
would soon he going down past the
FOrds. the old man tiared up and ex-
claimed: Give him the books. Give
him the books" didn't do it. how.
ever. assuring 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, was growing stronger
and more supple by the practice of ath-
letic feats. After few years came
the crisis for Malcolm. The father
died. disinheriting him. Time went
on. and Malcolm. the physically mag
niticent. saw his deformed little broth
er looming up as successful writer.
with an abundant fortune and income.
don't believe that Malcolm drank 10
any extent. but the sight OF his puny
brother doing the work and winning
the substantial laurcls that he the
strong one. h9d thought TO win was
gall and wormwoOd to him. Doubt
less this was heightened when, after
separation freEAs own wife through
an act of foY sn the part Of himself,
he SAW PaTfr married and settled in
life. surrounded with abundant com
forts The fire of hatred started away
back in the bOyhoOd days finally burn
ed up every trace of brotherly atiec-
tion. leaving him in n frame Of mind
to do murder"
Paul Leicester Ford was born III 1860
i'll Brooklyn. says the New York Jour
nal Raised in an environment of
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