Zappas ex rel. Shereopulos v. Roumeliote

Sherwin, J. The plaintiff, a minor, was employed by the defendant in his shoe-shining emporium. He worked under a salary contract, and the wages agreed upon were paid him. During the two years of his service for the defendant, however, he was given tips by customers whose work he had done, and these daily tips were turned over to the defendant each night. This action was brought to recover back such tips. The case was tried to a jury,'and a verdict was returned for the plaintiff, upon which judgment was entered, and the defendant appeals. Two defenses were interposed by the defendant: First, that there was an agreement between them that the tips should belong to the defendant; and, second, that there was a complete settlement at the end of plaintiff’s service, which was evidenced by a receipt in full. servant: pleadings: The first two counts of the petition were based on contracts which the plaintiff alleged that he had made with tlie defendant, and' neither count involved the subject of tips. The trial court instructed on the bearing that the defendant’s plea of settlement would have on these two counts, but did not refer to the plea of settlement in connection with count 5,. upon which the claim for tips was based, and this is alleged as error. We are given no light on this matter by counsel for appellee. But the appellee [711] pleaded in reply to defendant’s answer that the receipt pleaded and relied upon by the defendant was obtained by fraud, and that, being a minor, he had disaffirmed any settlement or receipt. Under proper instructions the jury found that there was no contract between the parties as to tips, and that the tips were personal gifts to the plaintiff by patrons of the house. These findings are fully established by the evidence; and, accepting them as true, it is manifest .that the defendant was not prejudiced by the court’s failure to instruct on the question of settlement in connection with count 5. This count was not based on any contract, either express or implied, unless it be said that there was an implied contract on the part of the defendant to return- to the plaintiff that which had been wrongfully exacted of him. But, if that be true, it was not a contract that would involve repudiation on the part of the plaintiff in order to maintain this suit. Indeed, the reverse of that would be true, and the only repudiation in the case would be that of the contract of settlement, which might deprive the plaintiff of the benefit of the implied contract to repay money wrongfully received; and such repudiation or disaffirmance of the settlement was conclusively evidenced by the claim made in this suit. And we see no way for the defendant to escape liability under the facts. The trial court instructed that the plaintiff could not recover on count 5, if he had entered into any contract to turn the tips over to the defendant, and the plaintiff was not permitted to affirm a part of his contract with the defendant and disaffirm another part thereof. It is a familiar rule that we will not reverse where no prejudice appears, or where a different result can not justly be reached. [712] compensation proofburdenof [711] We think the court was right in instructing that the plaintiff would be entitled to any gifts in the way of tips, over and above the regular charge for the service performed, given to him by-patrons of the defendant’s place; and that the burden of proof was on the defendant to show an agree [712] ment on the part of the plaintiff to turn the tips over to him. The plaintiff did. prove that the tips were given to him as a gratuity, and were not intended for the defendant; and that was all that the law could require of him. There is nothing in the record to indicate that the verdicti was the result of passion or prejudice. On the other hand, we think it was fully justified by the evidence. The plaintiff was a young Greek, who had just come to this country. He knew nothing of our language for some time, and did not know for a year that the tips given to him were intended by the donors as gifts to him. The defendant demanded and received this money, and it is right that he should return-it. The judgment is — Affirmed.