Henry Ford's Own Story

a mainspring," her son says. William Ford did his best, but it must have been a pathetic atte

Henry's youngest sister, took charge, and tried to keep the house in order and superintend the work of "hired girls" older than herself.

gone; thereafter every task was merely a repetition. His father did not need his help; there were always the hired men. I suppose any need

building of a small steam-engine. For this, helped partly by pictures, partly by his b

tilize in any imaginable way. When the engine was finished Henry mounted it on an improvised chassis which he had cut down from an old farm wagon, attached

histle, he charged up and down the meadow lot at nearly ten miles an hour, frightening every cow on the place. But after all his wo

is sixteenth winter, he learned about the big iron works

hat blew across the fields was an invitation to begin something new

morning, and while his family supposed him at school and the teacher was marking a m

ent to him. It had worn a holiday appearance before, but now it seemed stern and busy-a lit

elf, and started briskly through the crowds. He kne

t after," he says. "I don't recall ha

am engine appliances, was one of Detroit's largest factories. Over one hundred men were e

the place. He had read of it, and had even seen a picture of it, but now he beheld for himself

man working near where h

red shirt," the man replied. Henry

oreman did not perceive immediately, after one look into his steady eye, that this was no ordinary lad, as foremen so frequently do in fi

ll see what you can do," he said.

ady turned his back and forgotten him. Henry, almost doubtful of his

jingling the silver in one of them, and walked down the street, whistling. The world looked like a good p

main a mechanic. One day when he had learned all there was to know about the making of stea

y to waste time in speculations for the future when there was anything to be done. He counted his money.

althy sixteen-year-old mechanic for that sum. It was late that afternoon before he found one who, after some hesitation, agreed to do it. Then he looke

on an income too small? Apparently his mind went, wit

knew that after he had finished his day's work at the shops there would be a margin o

in the day, paid three dollars and a half in advance for on