Many years afterward, when Friend Hopper met Mahlon Dickinson on board a steam-boat, he inquired whether he recollected the scolding he gave him on a certain occasion.  He replied pleasantly, “Indeed I do.  I thought I had you that time, and I intended to give it to you; but you slipped through my fingers, as usual.”

THE NEW-JERSEY SLAVE.

In the year 1809, a gentleman from East New-Jersey visited Philadelphia, and brought a young slave to wait upon him.  When they had been in that city four or five months, the lad called upon Isaac T. Hopper to inquire whether his residence in Philadelphia had made him free.  He was informed that he would not have a legal claim to freedom till he had been there six months.  Just as the term expired, somebody told the master that the laws of Pennsylvania conferred freedom on slaves under such circumstances.  He had been ignorant of the fact, or had forgotten it, and as soon as he received the information he became alarmed lest he should lose his locomotive property.  He sent for a constable, who came to his door with a carriage.  The lad had just come up from the cellar with an armful of wood.  When he entered the parlor, the constable ordered him to put it down and go with him.  He threw the wood directly at the legs of the officer, and ran down cellar full speed, slamming the door after him.  As soon as the constable could recover from the blow he had received, he followed the lad into the cellar; but he had escaped by another door, and gone to Isaac T. Hopper.

It was snowing fast, and when he arrived there in his shirt sleeves, his black wool plentifully powdered with snow, he was a laughable object to look upon.  But his countenance showed that he was too thoroughly frightened and distressed to be a subject of mirth to any compassionate heart.  Friend Hopper tried to comfort him by promising that he would protect him, and assuring him that he was now legally free.  His agitation subsided in a short time, and he began to laugh heartily to think how he had upset the constable.  The master soon came to Friend Hopper’s house, described the lad’s dress and appearance, and inquired whether he had seen him.  He admitted that he had, but declined telling where he was.  The master made some severe remarks about the meanness of tampering with gentlemen’s servants, and went away.  In about half an hour he returned with the constable and said Alderman Kepler desired his respects to Isaac T. Hopper, and wished to see him at his office.  He replied, “I think it likely that Alderman Kepler has not much more respect for me than I have for him.  If he has more business with me than I have with him, I am at home, and can be spoken with.”

The master went away, but soon returned with two constables and a lawyer, who was very clamorous in his threats of what would be the consequences if the slave was not at once surrendered to the gentleman.  One of the officers said he had a warrant to search the house.  “Very well,” replied Friend Hopper, “execute it.”