Latham v. Sumner

Mr. Justice Walker delivered the opinion of the Court: Appellee sold to appellant a piano, for $380. Appellant paid a melodeon, at $55, and $25, and gave her three promissory notes, for $100 each—one due in six, one in tivelve, and the other in fifteen months from date, each drawing ten per cent interest after maturity. The first and second notes in the series had this condition attached to them, respectively: “ It is agreed between the maker of this note and A. Sumner, that the piano forte No. 4478, for the use of which to the maturity thereof this note is given, is and shall remain the property of A. Sumner, and that in default of payment thereof said piano shall be returned to said Sumner, his agent or attorney.” The condition on the margin of the third note reads: “ It is agreed between the maker of this note and A. Sumner, that the piano forte No. 4478, for the use of which to the maturity thereof this note is given, shall, upon the payment of this and all prior notes given for the use of said piano, become the property of the maker of this note. A. Sumner.” Ten dollars was paid on the first note in January, 1876, but no other payments were ever made. There seems to have been an effort to give this sale the form of a lease of the instrument, but, the whole contract considered, it must be regarded a sale. The instrument seems to have been in the possession of appellant at the time the notes were given, which was on the 19th of July, 1875, and so remained until some time in March, 1876, when, the first note not being paid, appellee’s agent went to appellant to demand the piano, and if not delivered, to replevy it; but it was then agreed that appellee should take the instrument and surrender the notes to appellant, which was done. At the time, no arrangement or agreement was made as to paying back the advanced payments, or in reference to paying for the use of the piano. Subsequently, appellant brought suit, by attachment, before a justice of the peace, to recover back all payments, against appellee. The case was appealed to the circuit court, and a trial therein resulted in favor of defendant, from which plaintiff appeals. It is urged that appellee could not rescind the contract without placing appellant in statu quo, and failing to do so, he is liable for all payments made to him on the contract. Appellant, failing to make payment according to the condition in the notes, should have returned the instrument, and appellee only exercised his undoubted legal right in resuming possession. He violated no contract or legal right of appellant when he took the piano, and not only so, but it was with the consent of appellant, nor was there any agreement to refund payments already made. We are, therefore, at a loss to see that appellee declared a rescission, because he acted under the agreement itself as well as by mutual consent of the parties. Had appellant refused to cancel the agreement and to restore the property, and appellee had taken it, then a question might have arisen as to a rescission and its consequences. But, even conceding that appellant had the right to sue for the recovery of the payments, she could only recover what is just and fair. As appellee did no wrong nor violated any right, he has not forfeited the right to recoup or set off any damages he has sustained by appellant failing to perform her part of the agreement. She, on no principle of law or justice, has the right to profit by her wrong in failing to keep her contract. She has had the use of the instrument about eight months, and the uncontradicted testimony shows the use of it to have been worth $15 per month. Again, the same character of evidence shows that the piano was depreciated in value, by its use during that time, at least $50. Ho reason is perceived why appellee should sustain this loss. He has done nothing to require it, and it is unjust that he should. If it were conceded, then, that appellant has a legal claim to demand the payments made on the contract, appellee has an equal right to claim for the use of the instrument or its depreciation by being used by appellant. These items, from the evidence, exceed the payments, and hence must defeat a recovery. The damages sustained by appellee grow out of the contract, and may be recouped against the claim of appellant. The proceeding was commenced before a justice of the peace, and defendant has, Avithout formal pleadings, the right to urge any defense he may have, and hence appellee had the right to avail of' this defense. We perceive no error in this record, and the judgment of the court below must be affirmed. Judgment affirmed.