Curry v. St. John Plow Co.

Mr. Justice Wall deliveeed the opinion of the Coubt. This is an appeal from a judgment for §20, for the balance due upon a promissory note given by appellant to appellee for a plow sold and delivered. The defense interposed was that when the note was executed the appellant was under •the age of twenty-one years. The suit was begun a short time after he attained his majority. He then had the plow in his possession. He had previously, and while yet a minor, contracted to exchange it with a third party in a trade for a horse, and after the suit was brought, but before the trial, he delivered it accordingly. He afterward got it again into his possession before the trial but never offered to return it to the appellee. The contract between the parties was voidable on the part of appellant because of his minority when it was made. It was not void, but he might elect to affirm or disaffirm, after he came of age. Infancy must be specially pleaded. Had the appellant not chosen to make this defense a judgment against him upon the note would certainly have been valid and enforceable. Logically then, the contract being voidable merely, is valid until repudiated. Mor can it be repudiated if, after coming of age, the party has done any act clearly showing an intention to affirm. The case presents the question whether the maker of a promissory note can plead infancy as a defense and still retain, intending to keep, the consideration for which it was given. It was distinctly held that he can not, in Philpot v. Sandwich Mfg. Co., 18 Neb. 54. See, also, in support of the same doctrine, Boyden v. Boy. den, 9 Metc. 519; Boady v. McKenney, 23 Maine 517; Robinson v. Hoskins, 14 Bush 393; note to Craig v. Van Bebber, 18 Am. St. Rep. 660; 10 Amer. & Eng. Ency. 654, and cases cited in note. It is said in -the text books that if an infant pays money on his contract and enjoys the benefit of it, and then avoids it when he comes of age, he can not recover back the money paid; and on the other hand if he seeks to avoid an executed contract, of sale for instance, after he comes of age, he must restore the consideration he has received. The privilege of infancy is to be used as a shield to protect him against unwise engagements but not as a sword to enable him to perpetrate wrong and injustice upon others. 2 Kent Com. 240; 1 Par. on Con., 269, and notes. If, for example, he disaffirms a sale and wishes to reclaim the property sold, he must return the purchase money. So, also, it is clear that if he had bought property and wishes to disaffirm and recover the money paid he must offer to return the property if he still has it, though if he has lost it or parted with it the authorities are not harmonious. It is argued, also, that a distinction is to be taken between executed and executory contracts, and that in the latter case he may refuse to comply with his contract and still retain the consideration, e. g., the article for which he has given his promise to pay. It must be admitted that there are authorities in support of this position. We think, however, the better view is that as applied to cases like the present there is no ground for the distinction. If he can not retain the article purchased and recover the price paid there is no sound reason why he should be allowed to retain the article and refuse to pay for it. Whether he be plaintiff or defendant the principle involved must be the same. He is sufficiently protected if he is allowed to disaffirm— restoring what he has obtained and still holds, and being released from his obligation to pay. If he will not pay he should return the property, and if after coming of age he retains the property, under circumstances indicating his intention to treat it as his, he should be required to pay for it. The vendor is bound by the contract. The vendee, because a minor when the contract was made, may disaffirm it, but until he does something clearly indicating his purpose to that effect, the vendor can not reclaim the property. He would be a trespasser if he should retake it. It seems that justice and fair dealing would require that the vendee in such case should act promptly and that there should be no unreasonable delay on his part in indicating his purpose; and that when he is sued for the price he should, with his plea of infancy, tender the property. It is true that the disaffirmance of the contract would place the parties in statu quo and that the right of property, as between them, would revert to the vendor, but this is hardly enough; the property should be restored if within the power of the vendee. It is objected that the court allowed proof that the appellant disposed of the property as his own after the suit was brought. The proof thus admitted tended to throw light upon the question of ratification or affirmance. It tended to characterize his action in keeping it in his possession after he came of age, and up to the time he Avas sued. As already stated, while yet a minor, he had contracted to exchange the plow for a horse, but did not deliver it in pursuance of this understanding until after he came of age and not until after the suit was brought. His action as proved amounted to an admission that he considered the property as his, and that he had so regarded it all the while. Ho doubt it would have been competent to prove that he had so declared after the suit was commenced, and it seems clear that it was also competent to prove an act which tended to establish the same thing. We think no error Avas committed in this respect. As to the instructions, there is no occasion for comment. What has been said will dispose of the objections made in that behalf. The judgment is in accordance with the merits, and it must be affirmed.