The conscientiousness so observable in several anecdotes of Isaac's boyhood was strikingly manifested in his treatment of a colored printer, named Kane. This man was noted for his profane swearing. Friend Hopper had expostulated with him concerning this bad habit, without producing the least effect. One day, he encountered him in the street, pouring forth a volley of terrible oaths, enough to make one shudder. Believing him incurable by gentler means, he took him before a magistrate, who fined him for blasphemy.
He did not see the man again for a long time; but twenty years afterward, when he was standing at his door, Kane passed by. The Friend's heart was touched by his appearance; for he looked old, feeble, and poor. He stepped out, shook hands with him, and said in kindly tones, ‘Dost thou remember me, and how I caused thee to be fined for swearing?’
‘Yes, indeed I do,’ he replied. ‘I remember how many dollars I paid, as well as if it were but yesterday.’
‘Did it do thee any good;’ inquired Friend Hopper.
‘Never a bit,’ answered he. ‘It only made me mad to have my money taken from me.’
The poor man was invited to walk into the house. The interest was calculated on the fine, and every
