their farms and grew poorer and poorer.  One of them became intemperate; and everything about their premises began to wear an aspect of desolation and decay.  At last, one of the farms was sold to pay a mortgage, and John Tatum, who was then about to be married, concluded to purchase it.  Many people warned him of the trouble he would have with a quarrelsome and intemperate neighbor.  But, after mature reflection, he concluded to trust to the influence of a peaceful and kind example, and accordingly purchased the farm.

Soon after he removed thither, he proposed to do away the Devil’s Lane by building a new fence on the boundary, entirely at his own expense.  His neighbor acceded to the proposition in a very surly manner, and for a considerable time seemed determined to find, or make some occasion for quarrel.  But the young Quaker met all his provocations with forbearance, and never missed an opportunity to oblige him.  Good finally overcame evil.  The turbulent spirit, having nothing to excite it, gradually subsided into calmness.  In process of time, he evinced a disposition to be kind and obliging also.  Habits of temperance and industry returned, and during the last years of his life he was considered a remarkably good neighbor.

Friend Hopper’s attachment to the religious society he had joined in early life was quite as strong, perhaps even stronger, than his love of kindred.  The Yearly Meeting of Friends at Philadelphia was a season of great satisfaction, and he delighted to have his house full of guests, even to overflowing.  On these occasions, he obeyed the impulses of his generous nature by seeking out the least wealthy and distinguished, who would be less likely than others to receive many invitations.  In addition to these, who were often personal strangers to him, he had his own familiar and cherished friends.  A day seldom passed without a visit from Nicholas Wain, who had great respect and affection for him and his wife, and delighted in their society.  He cordially approved of their consistency in carrying out their conscientious convictions into the practices of daily life.  Some of Isaac’s relatives and friends thought he devoted rather too much time and attention to philanthropic missions, but Nicholas Wain always stood by him, a warm and faithful friend to the last.  He was a true gentleman, of courtly, pleasing manners, and amusing conversation.  Notwithstanding his weight of character, he was so playful with the children, that his visits were always hailed by them, as delightful opportunities for fun and frolic.  He looked beneath the surface of society, and had learned to estimate men and things according to their real value, not by a conventional standard.  His wife did not regard the pomps and vanities of the world with precisely the same degree of indifference that he did.  She thought it would be suitable to their wealth and station to have a footman behind her carriage.  This wish being frequently expressed, her husband at last promised to comply with it.  Accordingly, the next time the carriage was ordered, for the purpose of making a stylish call, she was gratified to see a footman mounted.  When she arrived at her place of destination, the door of her carriage was opened, and the steps let down in a very obsequious manner, by the new servant; and great was her surprise and confusion, to recognize in him her own husband!