Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1901 — Mr. Hare’s Fountain of Youth. [ARTICLE]

Mr. Hare’s Fountain of Youth.

Mr. John Hare, the eminent English actor-manager, said that the most delightful compliment he ever received was from Mr. Gladstone. It was a double ended compliment. Whichever way you took It It was satisfactory. Mr. Hare earned fame playing old men’s parts, his character as Mr. Goldby in “A Pair of Spectacles” being a good example. Added to this was a horror of having his picture taken. Mr. Gladstone had never seen a picture of the actor, but he knew him welU behind the scenes as well as before the footlights. The premier’s favorite play was “A Pair of Spectacles,” and he always went behind the scenes to chat awhile with the actor. The really old man and the made up old man would sit there and talk in the most delightful way for an hour after the show. One day the Earl of Rosebery had Mr. Gladstone to dinner, and he also invited his friend, John Hare. The actor came in smooth shaved, looking about 35. He was presented to Mr. Gladstone, and the prime minister shook his hand most cordially and said: “My dear sir, I am very, very glad to meet you. I know your father very,, very well. Splendid actor! Fine old man!” It took the whole evening for the earl and Mr. Hare to convince him that this son was really the father.—Saturday Evening Post.