Evening star., 1914-06-28
SIR THOMAS Upton AS A STORY TELLER

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~IR THOMAS Upton will be over
here again soon with another col
lection of good stories. He col
L lects them all over the world, ana
what makes many Of the tales
all the more interesting Is the fact tnat
thew relate to his own personal expert
ences. He Is as much at home In inoia,
In Egypt, the capitals OF Europe ana
upon the Riviera as he Is IN Lonooh'
He hobnobs with kings and queens OUT
he has no hesitation in saying that ne
does not care a tuppence" for their
royalty.
Recently the writer was thrown with
Sir Thomas a great deal on two-week
voyage from Colombo, Ceylon, to Mar
seille, France. On the trip Sir Thomas
became acquainted with every man.
woman and child in the first and sec
sixty-four years of age. he led In all the
deck sports and was the life OF the
ship His fund of stories seems to be
never-ending.
II have had many strange experiences
in India, but none stands out more vivid
ly than that which befell me in Rangoon
about year ago." he said. Thou
sands of natives were gathered together
to celebrate some event upon their holy
calendar. The ceremony was full OF east
ern mysticism. A British army officer
and 1 were silent spectators OF the strong
rites that were being practiced. all under
the direction of the high priest OF Bur-
ma The high priest was OF striking
appearance. | noticed that he scowled at
me, and I became somewhat perturbed.
The fellow wore a yellow kilt. and his
legs and body above the waist were bare.
Every time this high dtgnttary came
a menacing way.
Colonel said to my friend, I would
not like to meet that fellow In the dark;
/ do not know what have done to incur
his displeasure, but he seems TO nave II
in for me-.
.'The colonel laughed at my fears. The
thousands Of natives held the high priest
in the utmost reverence. They salaamed
to him wherever he went and he bore
himself like true leader OF men. AT
the conclusion of the ceremony l was
surprised and startled to find the hlgn
priest making his way toward me- he
was scoWling fearfully. l hastily pointed
out the fellow to the colonel and re-
marked:
..If I'm not mistaken, we are in for
troublesome time with that high priest.
Il moved little apart from my 1rieno,
so as to be prepared for freer action In
case of attack The high priest marched
straight to me and I saw twinkle IN
his eyes when he drew near. Holding
out his hand to me. he SAID. IN low
tone. so as not to be oVerneafo' paf fuco
larly by any native:
"'What the divvil are you dom here
Lipton?' t., WV ,,.
II was never more surprised IN my NE
to hear the flowing Irish brosue tnat
came from the lips of this supposed
Hindu. 1 instantly knew that he was
one of my countrymen. .
"'What mystery Is this: ! asked: !
Thought YOU were Buddhist high priest.
And so 1 am, he replied But am
Irish: me name Is Kelly. .
".Weu. WE'LL I said. II 1t were not
for your Irish brogue I could hardiy
credit your statement. but want to hear
the whole story. Come to the hotel TO-
night and let us have good. long talh.
:sKeIIy silently thought over the invl-
tation for q minute and then rephed:
Ia seem mixin with thin white Chris
tians.'
ct told him he need not meet any one
but me. finally prevailed upon MIN 10
accept my invitation, and that evening
he presented himself at the hotel and was
received with all the courtesy due the
position he occupies as high pres. y,
Burmah, We took seats on the veranoa
of the hotel q little apart from q group
of my friends. 1t was wonderful Story
that Kelly told me. He was nat1ve OF
ireland, and many years oerore ne nda
been shipwrecked on remote part u
the coast of India. He took up his nome
among the natives and learned their IAN
suage and adopted their ways.
.'He moved from place to place. ana
ultimately lost his white identity. SO far
as the natives were concerned. ne tooA
a. fancy to the easy life OF the priestnooo.
and began a study for that work. HIS
sunerior intellect and masterful ways won
FOR him quick promotion, and he became
high priest of Burmah. The mlinons OF
natives under him have no thought tnat
he ia not Of their own race we e1-
changed Irish stories. and l DO not know
when ever spent more enooyaoie even
ing Kelly loosened up and let out some
GOOD laughs at my stories. I asked him
how he knew me. and he said that he had
seen pictures of me in newspapers
".you have a mighty good Job. Kelly,
7 said. AS high priest. all the collections
for the church pass through your hands,
I suppose
".Are you right sure your bookkeeping
ia always up to the notch?
kelly raised his hands and his eyes
gave an Irish twinkle.
word" .. tho
evening had departed my friends gather
ed around me and compltmented me on
the way I had carried on converse
ton with the high priest, who. OF course.
SO far as they were aware. could mol
speak a word of English.
you are wonderful man. Sir
Thomas, to know the language of these
people, they told me.
SNOW, a. matter Of fact can't speak