Boyer v. Ausburn

Jackson, Justice. The sole question is, was the non-suit properly awarded ? That turns on the construction of the contract sued. That contract is in these words : “By the first day of November, 1878, we promise to pay Jasper J. Boyer or bearer sixty-five dollars for one bay stallion colt, named Mark, about two years old, the title to said colt remaining in said. Jasper J. Boyer until the p'urehase money is paid in full, but our liability is to pay the above amountiin the event said colt should die.” This paper being introduced, the court held that unless, the plaintiff showed that the colt was dead, there could be no recovery, and non-suited the plaintiff. Prima facie, the meaning of the paper is, that on the first day of November the money due should be paid, though the title was retained by the plaintiff to the colt, and to avoid trouble in the event the colt died before the [272] money was paid, and while title was still in the vendor, the vendees agreed to pay for him notwithstanding they had no title. The consideration of the promise was the delivery and present use of the colt, and the vendor at his option could recover the money on the 1st of November, whether the colt was dead or alive, or if alive, on refusal to pay for him at that date he could recover him in trover. It is true that there may be some ambiguity in the paper, and if so it may be explained by parol; but on its face it seems to us to mean as indicated above, though awkwardly expressed. Whether ambiguous or not, as it means on its face a promise to pay for the colt, dead or alive, on the first of November, the court should not have granted the non-suit ; as the note itself w&s prima facie-, at least, an absolute-promise to pay on sufficient consideration. Judgment reversed.