Cooley v. Kinney

Grant, C. J. (after stating the facts). It is urged that' there was no testimony to sustain the verdict. We cannot concur in this view. «Plaintiff testified that the defendant agreed to give her his note for $350, and “ told me, if I stayed there, and worked, that I should have the $400; ” and that she remained upon the faith of that promise, and performed the services agreed upon. An examination of. the former record in the case shows similar testimony on her part. While the case was before submitted to the jury in reliance upon the consideration for the discharge of the mortgage, this did not prevent the recovery in this case upon the other theory. There are many assignments of error, most of which relate to the refusal to give certain requests and to the instructions given. We find no error in them. The' theories of both plaintiff and defendant were fairly submitted to the jury. The testimony was in direct conflict as to the agreement. One point should perhaps be mentioned. Defendant admitted that there was due plaintiff $167, and paid the money into court. The clerk shortly thereafter paid this money over to plaintiff, through her attorney. Defendant [379] urges that this was an accord and satisfaction, while plaintiff insists that it was not. Defendant gave evidence tending to show that he had made a tender of this amount, accompanied by the statement that, if taken, it must be in full of all her claims against him, and that he subsequently deposited the money in court to keep that tender good. On the other hand, plaintiff gave evidence tending to show that the money was not tendered to her, nor accepted by her attorney, in full of all demands. This question was also left to the jury, and by them determined against the defendant. The receipt of money paid into v court, unless accompanied by the condition that, if taken, /! it must be taken in full satisfaction of the claim, does noti ( bar the right to prosecute the suit. By the payment into court, the defendant admits his liability to that amount, and it belongs to plaintiff, and may at any time be withdrawn by him. Hill v. Smith, 84 Vt. 548; Hilliard v. Noyes, 58 N. H. 312; Thompson v. Townsend, 41 Mich. 346; Phelps v. Town, 14 Mich. 374. Judgment affirmed. The other Justices concurred.