Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1899-02-11

and employees he has never seen. He
trusts to subordinates, and knows how to
choose men whom he must trust
There are APO Upton shops in Great
Britain, all just alike; sixty in London
alone, the others everywhere.
Every new Upton shop is opened by
a Grassland concert. In every one the
employees wear the same uniform.
Every one is decorated in the same rather
snowy style. The prices in all are uni
form and low.
All are lighted by electricity This is
the unvarying rule. In many a small
town this requires the expense of a
special lighting plant but it is worth the
money. In such case the Upton shop
shines like jewel beside its dingy neigh
bors. 1t is all the better advertising. 1t
is nine-days' wonder at first and a dis
tinction always.
Sir Thomas Lipton's fortune is called
S50,0OO,0O0. 1t is only nineteen years
since he stood behind counter waiting
on customers.
Last spring Upton formed joint stock
company to take his London business.
The capitalization was fixed at Sl2, 500,
900, of which only 1000, 900 were offered
for sale. This stock was subscribed for
twenty-five times over. The same sum
had previously been offered by Hooley
and refused. Upton is his own pro-
moter.
Upton may have been relieved of some
of his labors and responsibilities by the
change in his business. He is able to en-.
JOY such leisure as comes to him. He is
of medium height, but so slender and
sinewy that he looks taller. He dresses
neatly, not with the gaudy ostentation of
Barney Barnato. He is erect, alert; a
quizzical smile ever fingers on his thin
lips, twinkle shines in his gray-blue
eye. He can enjoy joke.
This man is a democrat among mill
ionaires. He owns a beautiful country
place at Osidge-a palace our volatile
and explanatory British cousins call it
and here every summer he entertains his
own employees, brought thither on special
Upton trains from every part of the
kingdom.
When Sir Thomas Upton challenged
in the name of the Royal Ulster Yacht
Club for the Americal's cup there were
in Britain certain proud aristocrats who
sneered at him as not quite gentleman,
don't you know.
The first gentleman of Europe" came
to the defense of its first merchant. The
Prince of Wales and the Duke of York
showed Upton most friendly attentions.
The Princess of Wales sent him a
diamond scarfpin at Christmas in
her gratitude for his assistance
with the jubilee dinner. His cof-
fee-house gift was named the Alex
andra Fund by her permission, and
the Prince of Wales is sponsor for the
three trustees who with Sir Thomas are
to manage it. There is no more sneering
now.
The most extraordinary secrecy has
been insisted upon in the planning and
construction of the Upton yacht. Her
metal parts have been made by Thorny-
croft and shipped to Harlan & VOLTS
yard In Belfast. The Shamrock will be
an Irish boat and she will be sailed to
win.
"The Upton flag has never been hoist
ed in vain,' says this bold sportsman.
He says that he is prepared to "spend, if
necessary, 100000 or 100000 to lift
that cup" The Shamrock is his sole
property. No syndicate was formed to
build her.
Nor will there be any moan of unfair
play from Sir Thomas Upton if the
Shamrock should come across the line
beaten boat. He is a sportsman as he is
a merchant, neglecting nothing to win
success and leaving the rest to fortune.
He will be the keenest competitor that
ever confronted American yachtsmen.