Zinnel v. Bergdoll

Opinion by Smith, J., The agreement under which the plaintiff claims rests in.parol. The burden of showing its existence and binding effect on the defendant, by a preponderance of evidence is, therefore, cast upon the plaintiff. Whether the agreement with the decedent [525] was a lease of the premises managed by the plainúff, or a personal contract of hiring, were questions for the jury. It was also a question of fact for the jury to determine whether the administrator agreed with the plaintiff to continue the contract made with the decedent, or made another contract, in terms, or in legal effect. But conceding the power of the administrator to extend the contract of the decedent-for the purposes of administration, the court had no right to assume its existence and continuation by the administrator, and direct a verdict for the plaintiff, subject to.a point of law not necessarily decisive of the whole case: Wilde v. Trainor, 59 Pa. 439; Fisher v. Scharadin, 186 Pa. 565; Ginther v. The Borough, 3 Pa. Superior Ct. 403. The point of law stated in the reservation touched one aspect of the case only, and might have been correctly ruled without affecting other material features of the controversy. Judgment was entered on the verdict for the plaintiff, thus overruling, in effect, the proposition of law contained in the point. The point asked that judgment be directed for the defendant, and we cannot say, therefore, that as matter of law it should have been affirmed. Yet the proposition of law it contained was correct and, if material to the issue, the point ■should have been affirmed rather than overruled, and the judgment should be based on the entire reservation. Turning to the opinion of the court in entering judgment on the reserved point, printed in the paper-book of the appellee, it appears to be founded largely on statements of fact not found in the reservation, the record, or the evidence sent here. When a question of law is reserved by the trial court it must be of controlling effect, and the facts upon which it arises must be set forth as part of the reservation or must distinctly and specifically appear on the record and be particularly referred to in the reserved point. The decision of the court must then be based on the law and facts thus specifically stated. Matters of facts stated in the opinion, and evidently deemed material by the trial judge, are wholly absent from the reservation as well as from the record and the evidence. Upon every principle of law and justice this is unwarranted. In extending the power to reserve questions of law to the common pleas judges, the legislature did not intend to grant them roving commissions to inquire into and pass upon the evidence generally, and thus usurp the [526] functions of the jury. The reservation must be of a pure question of law. The facts upon which it is based must be admitted of record, or found by a jury; or stated by the court as part of the reservation, when, if not objected to at the time, they will have the force of such admission. But the court has no power, under this mode of proceeding, to pass upon controverted matters of fact. It can only pass upon facts when ascertained and settled in this manner, and they become a part of the reserved question. It is quite evident from the testimony that the contract between the plaintiff and the decedent was for the plaintiff’s services and their compensation. The evidence does not show a demise of any part of the premises to the plaintiff.. His occupancy was merely incidental to the convenient performance of his duties. He acquired no estate in the land, or the right to use it, except as the discharge of his duties made such use convenient. The land, all property on it, and its yield, belonged to the decedent, and were for his sole use and benefit. The plaintiff was simply hired to work the farm, and had no interest in it or in the property connected with it. His wages were in no way dependent on the farm or its yield. The legal possession remained in the decedent, and the plaintiff was in no sense liable for rent. The essential elements of a demise are not shown in this case, and the court should have so instructed the jury: McCormick v. Skiles, 163 Pa. 590. Under the evidence it was a personal contract terminating on the death of either party: West v. O’Callaghan, 15 Phila. Rep. 165; Dickinson v. Calaban, 19 Pa. 227; Bland v. Umstead, 23 Pa. 316. If the administrator continued the contract of the decedent with the plaintiff, under the mistaken belief that it was binding after the death of the parties to it, he had a right to terminate it without liability thereafter; unless by an agreement, or by Ms conduct he treated the contract as in force, for his convenience and assistance in caring for and closing up the estate in his charge. The right to recover for services performed in the absence of an express contract, on a quantum meruit, if such services were accepted by the administrator, might also become material. These are all questions of fact for the jury, however, under proper instructions by the court. For the reasons given the judgment is reversed and a venire de novo awarded,