Palo Alto Stock Farm v. Brooker

Ladd, J. — A part of plaintiff’s business was selling stallions to farmers. The price of one known as “ Chamberlin ” was $3,000, divided into twelve shares of $250 each. The paper sued on purports to be signed by eleven persons, agreeing to take a share each, and two persons, agreeing to take a half share each. It was in print, reciting an agreement to sell at the above price to the subscribers who promise to pay the amount stated per share, to be paid in cash or in four equal annual payments, evidenced by the joint and several negotiable notes of the subscribers. The defendant’s name appeared on the paper, but he refused to accept the horse or become a member of the company, and this suit for the price of a share was commenced. The defense interposed that the contract mentioned had been printed above defendant’s name after he had signed it in a book used by plaintiff’s agent, or else it had 'been fraudulently concealed when his signature was attached. [231] 1. Negotiable instruments: fraud. [230] The evidence as to each of these issues was in conflict, ánd, in submitting the last, the jury was told that, if “ the contract was concealed from defendant’s knowledge and sight by the agent of plaintiff at the time defendant signed his [231] name, the instrument was a forgery, and the verdict should be for defendant.” The converse of this was stated in the instruction following. These instructions are erroneous. The mere concealment of the printed form from- defendant when he attached his signature would not render it a forgery. This may have been done unintentionally. Indeed, if such were the fact, this is the more reasonable explanation, for it is not pretended that the terms ware not substantially as orally státed by the agent. If the printed matter was unintentionally obscured from the defendant’s view, and he carelessly signed the paper without ascertaining its contents, there is no reason for relieving him from the obligation assumed. On the other hand, if the printed matter was concealed by the agent with the design of obtaining some advantage over defendant, that is, if it was done fraudulently the defendant is not bound. The error was in not exacting, as essential to relief, a finding that the concealment was fraudulent. This does not seem to be questioned, but it is insisted that the error was without prejudice. Enough has been said to indicate otherwise. 2. Ratification. Ratification was pleaded, but the issue was not submitted to the jury. The evidence of two witnesses, at least, tended to show that defendant joined others who had subscribed for shares in organizing a company and in ar- • i> ,1 i . * ,. ranging for the care and management of the horse, and that this was with the knowledge that his name appeared beneath the same contract others had signed. On the other hand, the defendant and other witnesses testified that what he did was .on the express condition that he should conclude to become a member of the company. If this condition was stated, there was no ratification, but if not, and he exercised acts of ownership over the horse, or participated therein with other subscribers in such manner as to indicate that he had joined them in accepting the animal under- the contract mentioned, then he ratified the placing of his name [232] beneath the printed form or the printed matter over his name, and the jury should have been so instructed. As the contract was voidable only, it was subject to ratification, and that issue should have been submitted. Appellant further contends that, in any event, the verdict is without support in the evidence. While it is all but inconceivable that defendant, and others who subscribed for shares, supposed they were placing their names on a blank piece of paper, such is their testimony, and it was for the jury to pass upon their credibility. — Reversed.