Schweitzer v. Irwin's

JUDGE GUFFY delivered the opinion oe the court. The appellant Joseph Schweitzer instituted this action in the Bracken Circuit Court against George L. Bradford and Elizabeth N. Irwin, executrix of W. J. Irwin to recover judgment on a note for $422, dated 9th day of August, 1883, executed to him by George L. Bradford and W. J. Irwin, credited by $100 March 11,1890. No defense was interposed by Bradford, but the executrix of W. J. Irwin pleaded that [402] W. J. Irwin was only security of Bradford, and also pleaded and relied on tbe statute of limitation for a defense. Tbe reply traverses tbe allegations of tbe answer. A jury trial resulted in a verdict for plaintiff for tbe amount of the debt claimed, to-wit, $-122 with interest, less a credit of $100 paid March 11,1890.. The appellee moved the court to render judgment in her favor notwithstanding the verdict, which motion was sustained by the court, and judgment rendered accordingly, which judgment, however, was after-wards set aside and judgment rendered in favor of appellant in accordance with the verdict of the jury. After* wards appellee moved the court to set aside the verdict and judgment. 1st Because same was not sustained by sufficient evidence. • 2d. Because the verdict and judgment in accordance therewith is contrary to law. Said motion was sustained by the court and a new trial awarded the appellee, and from that judgment this appeal is prosecuted. The contention of appellee is that it is positively shown by the proof that Irwin was only the surety of Bradford, and did not represent himself as principal on the note. The contention of appellant is that Irwin held himself out to him as principal, and that having signed the note without designating himself as surety be could not now be heard to reply upon the plea of suretyship and thus avoid payment of the note. It will be seen that this is an appeal taken from a judgment of the court awarding appellee a new trial, which is not a final order within the meaning of the Code of Practice. [403] It therefore follows that no appeal from that judgment can he entertained by this court until after the. final judgment as to the rights of the parties. This being true the questions argued by counsel are not before ns for decision. For the reasons indicated this appeal is dismissed without prejudice to the cause of action, and the cause remanded' lor proceedings as provided by law.