On one occasion I was with him when charity was solicited of him by a wretched old woman.  “Give me five dollars,” he said to me; the money was handed the woman, and she was sent away, to be drunk and in a police-station within the hour.  I remarked:  “That old wretch has brought all this upon her by an abandoned profligacy.”  “Then I owe her sympathy as well as charity,” was his reply; “I do not know the cause of her suffering, but I know she is suffering:  it may be for food, it may be for drink; if either obliterates her misery, your money is well spent.”

He had no idea of the value of money; was constantly in the receipt of large fees, with a most lucrative practice, but was always embarrassed, owed everybody, loaned to everybody, gave to everybody, and paid nobody.

During the existence of the law which imprisoned for debt, he was constantly in the sheriff’s hands, but always settling, by the most ingenious devices, the claim at the jail-door.  It is told of him, that the sheriff on one occasion notified him that there was a ca. sa. in his hands, and that he did not want to arrest him.  The sum was large, some two thousand dollars—­Grymes had not a dollar.  He paused a moment, then said, “Come to me to-morrow.  I have a case of Milliadon’s for trial to-morrow; he is greatly interested in it.  When it is called, I will give you the wink, then arrest me.”  In obedience to directions, the sheriff came, the case was called, and Grymes arrested.  Milliadon was in court, his hopes were in Grymes, and when he was informed that Grymes was in custody of the sheriff, he groaned aloud.

“Oh!  Mr. Grymes, vat am I to do?”

“Why, you must employ other counsel,” said Grymes.

“Mon dieu! but I have pay you for attend this case, and I want you.  You know about it, and it must be try now.”

“Yes,” continued the imperturbable Grymes, “you have paid me, I know, and I know it would be dangerous to trust it to other counsel, but it is your only hope.  I have no money, and here is a ca. sa., and I am on my way to jail.”

“Oh! mon dieu! mon dieu! vat is de amount of de ca. sa.?”

“Two thousand dollars,” said the sheriff.

“Two thousand dollars!” repeated Milliadon.

“Goodall vs. Milliadon,” said the Judge, “Preston, for plaintiff—­Grymes, for defendant.  What do you do with this case, gentlemen?”

“We are ready,” said Preston.

“And you, Mr. Grymes?” asked the court.

“Vill you take my check for de ca. sa., Mr. Sheriff?”

“Certainly, sir,” replied the officer.

“Say we is ready too, Mr. Grymes—­all my witness be here.”

“I believe we are ready, your honor,” answered Grymes.  Milliadon was writing his check.  “Enter satisfaction on the ca. sa.,” said Grymes.  The sheriff did so, as Milliadon handed him the check.  Grymes now turned his attention to the case as coolly as though nothing had occurred.  That was the last Milliadon ever heard of his two thousand dollars.