The character of his wife was extremely modest and reserved; and he took mischievous pleasure in telling strangers the story of their courtship in a way that made her blush.  “Dost thou know what Hannah answered, when I asked if she would marry me?” said he.  “I will tell thee how it was.  I was walking home with her one evening, soon after the death of her mother, and I mentioned to her that as she was alone now, I supposed she intended to make some change in her mode of living.  When she said yes, I told her I had been thinking it would be very pleasant to have her come and live with me.  ‘That would suit me exactly,’ said she.  This prompt reply made me suppose she might not have understood my meaning; and I explained that I wanted to have her become a member of my family; but she replied again, ‘There is nothing I should like better.’”

The real fact was, the quiet and timid Hannah Attmore was not dreaming of such a thing as a proposal of marriage.  She supposed he spoke of receiving her as a boarder in his family.  When she at last perceived his meaning, she slipped her arm out of his very quickly, and was too much confused to utter a word.  But it amused him to represent that she seized the opportunity the moment it was offered.

There was one of the anti-slavery agents who did everything in a dashing, wholesale style, and was very apt to give peremptory orders.  One day he wrote a letter on business, to which the following postscript was appended:  “Give the hands at your office a tremendous blowing up.  They need it.”  Friend Hopper briefly replied:  “According to thy orders, I have given the hands at our office a tremendous blowing up.  They want to know what it is for.  Please inform me by return of mail.”

When the Prison Association of New-York petitioned to be incorporated, he went to Albany on business therewith connected.  He was then a stranger at the seat of government, though they afterward came to know him well.  When he was seated in the senate-chamber, a man came to him and told him to take off his hat.  He replied, “I had rather not.  I am accustomed to keep it on.”

“But it is contrary to the rules,” rejoined the officer.  “I am ordered to turn out any man who refuses to uncover his head.”

The Quaker quietly responded, “Very well, friend, obey thy orders.”

“Then, will you please to walk out, sir?” said the officer.

“No,” replied Friend Hopper.  “Didst thou not tell me thou wert ordered to turn me out?  Dost thou suppose I am going to do thy duty for thee?”

The officer looked embarrassed, and said, half smiling, “But how am I to get you out?”

“Carry me out, to be sure,” rejoined Friend Hopper.  “I see no other way.”

The officer went and whispered to the Speaker, who glanced at the noble-looking old gentleman, and advised that he should be let alone.

Sometimes his jests conveyed cutting sarcasms.  One day, when he was riding in an omnibus, he opened a port-monnaie lined with red.  A man with very flaming visage, who was somewhat intoxicated, and therefore very much inclined to be talkative, said, “Ah, that is a very gay pocket-book for a Quaker to carry.”