The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1902-05-28
THE FORD BROTHERS.
Stories Of Paul the Author and
Malcolm the Athlete.
INCIDENTS OF THEIR EARLY DAYS

Under Loads of Fathers Books.
How Psul's Life Was spent Among
Books-AthIetic Achievements of
Malcolm.
A boyhood 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 a New York Tribune reporter
the other night
"Gordon Ford, the father OF the boys,
was n stern, tall, well built scotchman,
with almost passion for buying hooks.
lie lived on Brooklyn Heights in a big
house that had a library about sixty
feet square. l remember the old man
and Paul on account Of their coming
TO the Brooklyn postoflice together. l
worked I'm the postoilice. Malcolm was
n strong, handsome looking boy at this
time, and his father was imbittered 10.
ward him because he Nlalcolm) would
not obey him. Malcolm attended the
Young Mems Christian association and
believed I'm the idea OF FIRST strong
body and then a 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 delye I'm his great
library and make a living with their
pens in that way. Malcolm would have
none Of 1t.
after one or two battles with NAL
colin the old Scotchman grew imbit-
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 postotiice. 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 wabbly on
his legs, but for all that his part OF
the errand to the postofIice seemed TO
be TO lug the books home. Sometimes
there would be an armful of these
books, and Paurs little body would
fairly stagger under the load. The ia
ther never seemed 20 take account of
the boys lack of strength. Give him
the books. give him the booksp 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 bis
sleeve.
zone day there we've 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 be going down past the
Fords, the old man flared up and ex-
claimed Give him the books! Give
him the booksp l didn't do 1t, how
ever. assuring the senior Ford that
they were heavier than usual and that
the wagon would soon take them down.
Paul looked a thousand thanks at me
for this, and for the first time in weeks
the father and boy went or 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 n tew years came
the crisis for Malcolm. The father
died, disinheriting him. Time went
ON, and Malcolm. the physically mag
nificent saw his deformed little broth
er looming up as successful writer,
with an abundant fortune and income.
j don't believe that Malcolm drank to
any extent, but the sight OF his puny
brother doing the work aud winning
the substantial laures that he, the
strong one. had thought to win was
gall and wormwood 10 him. Doubt
less this was heightened when. after
separation from his own wife through
an act Of folly on the part OF himself,
he saw Paul married and settled in
ffe, surrounded with abundant COM
forts The fire OF hatred started away
back IN the boyhood days finally burn.
ed up every trace OF brotherly afrec-
ton. leaving him in frame OF mind
10 90 nuruer.
Paul Leicester Ford was born I'm 1865
In Brooklyn. says the New York Jour
nal. Raised In an environment Of
books. turning the more readily 20 them
because OF weak physique, which
precluded a more sturdy life, while
still a young man he lifted himself
TO high place in the rank Of Amer
ican novelists.
His The Honorable Peter Stirling"
was Mr.. Ford's first novel to secure
general popularity and riyaled Erich
ard Carver IN sales. Then followed
''rhe Story OF an Untold Love-" the
popular Janice Meredith" and the
'True Story OF George Washington"
He was literally bred among books.
His delicate health necessitated a pri-