Horgan v. Brady

MARSHALL, J. The appellant’s statement of this case is fair and impartial and it is therefore adopted. It is as follows: “This case Was commenced in the probate court of the city of St. Louis. The plaintiff having given notice, as required by the statute, filed there her account or statement of the items of her claim against the estate of Daniel Horgan, deceased. Due notice having been given to James E. Brady, administrator of the estate, the parties came, and the case was tried by the court. And on the evidence the court, Judge Eassieur, found for the plaintiff in the sum of $2,129.55, andallowed her claim for that sum, and placed the same in 'the fifth class. Erorn this judgment the defendant appealed to the circuit court, and there th¿ case was tried do novo, before a jury, and, under the instructions of the court, the jury found for the defendant. Plaintiff duly filed a motion for a new trial, which was overruled, and at the same term filed her bill of exceptions and appealed. All exceptions were duly saved. There are no pleadings. The questions here presented arise on the instructions given by the court. The account is for board, lodging and laundry furnished to and done for deceased from March 14th, 1885, to May 1st, 1894, excepting from August 1st, 1888, to January 1st, 1889, being 104 1-2 months at $20 a month, and for rent of certain premises; for money collected by deceased for and on account of plaintiff; for money loaned by plaintiff to deceased, aggregating in all, without interest, the sum of $2,918.90. Plaintiff introduced evidence tending to prove the — 662 — several items of her account or statement. That she furnished deceased with board, lodging and laundry at and during the times mentioned in her statement, namely fromMarch 14th, 1885, to May 1st, 1894, excepting a period of five months, during which he was absent from the city, and that the same was reasonably worth, to-wit; $20 per month. That deceased had from her the use and occupation of a room used as a lumber room or carpenter shop; a stable and cellar, all as stated in the account, at and during all the times mentioned in her account, and that the respective amounts charged for the rent or use of the same were reasonable. That the deceased collected on plaintiff’s account certain sums of money, and that she loaned him certain sums, all as charged by her. Erom the evidence it appears that the claimant is an old woman — -a widow; that she had two pieces of leasehold property, which she had acquired through her deceased husband, one on the corner of Twenty-second and Riddle streets, and one on Division street near by. That she rented her rooms to tenants, and that she had no other property or source of income. Her deceased husband, also named Dan. Horgan, was the uncle of Daniel Horgan, against whose estate this proceeding is brought. Daniel Horgan, the uncle, died in 1885. At the time of his death, his nephew, against whose estate this proceeding is brought, was living at the home of his uncle and aunt, this plaintiff. After the uncle’s death, a Miss Long, a relative, spoke to him about, having his aunt come and live with her, but deceased said never mind, that he was going to board with her, and he continued to live there. Claimant treated him kindly and with affection; acknowledged him to be her nephew. Witness stated that she treated him kindly; nursed him when he was sick; treated him as a mother. Deceased died in April, 1896. He was a bachelor, and at the time of his death was forty years of age, and had acquired some estate. He was a man who was close in business affairs, and loth to pay out — 663 — money. Eor a time lie kept a coal yard on the premises, Twenty-second and Biddle, and used tbe sbed or stable there. He also did work as a carpenter, and used, for a time, a room of claimant and a cellar under her bouse as a storeroom for old lumber, old doors, window-frames, and tbe like. BEe carried on a small coal business; was something of a carpenter and builder. He made in books belonging to claimant, from time to time, not regular accounts, but some rough memoranda. One of these, in bis own bandwriting, is an entry or memorandum: ‘July 14, ’90. Dan. Horgan Dr. to Mary Horgan, $100.’ “In plaintiff’s account is one item of $100, amount collected by deceased in January, 1896, on account of plaintiff, from Stephen Doust, on a note of Doust for $300 — $100 of tbe consideration of this note having been loaned by plaintiff to Doust at request of deceased, and tbe whole of tbe noto afterwards collected by deceased. On July 14, 1890, date of that entry, deceased took from Doust a note of $300, of that date, secured by a deed of trust, and afterwards, in January, 1896, the whole sum was collected by him. He made admissions of using money of bis aunt’s in making up sums to loan out upon mortgages. Plaintiff also introduced a lot of memoranda, on separate scraps of paper, admitted to have been made by herself at tbe time, of various small sums of money loaned to him, and corresponding with tbe small sums, named in tbe account of money loaned. There was evidence that deceased bad on many occasions, and to several parties, admitted that be was owing bis aunt a great deal of money. Evidence that she bad spoken to him on tbe matter of paying board, and asked him for bis board; that be bad stated to several witnesses that bis aunt wanted him to pay board, but that be was not going to pay it; and be made tbe remark that when tbe old woman died it would all be bis anyhow, and. such like remarks. On tbe other band a Mrs. Lawrence testified that she bad been .a neighbor of plaintiff, but bad bad a — 664 — misunderstanding with her. That claimant had. told her that deceased was to stay there with her, do the general repairs around, and pay no board. That plaintiff had admitted having $50 belonging to deceased at the time of his death. “Mrs. Welby, sister of the deceased, testified that some three or four years before, deceased on one occasion was ill and complained of his treatment — his aunt’s lack of attention, and said that he was going to leave her, that he had taken good care of her and the place, and that he would not have stayed as long as he did had it not been for the promise to his uncle, and that he didn’t owe her anything;' and claimant asked him not to go, and said she always treated him kindly and needed his assistance, and then he said, I don’t owe you anything, and she said, I know you don’t. This witness on cross-examination stated that in the probate court her testimony had been that deceased had on one occasion paid his board to his aunt; that some seven or eight years ago witness was residing at plaintiff’s and deceased paid his board and paid her board, and witness stated that at that time he told his aunt: “Well, the contract was that I was to pay no board, but you have got nothing; there is no money; your place don’t clear $100 a year, and finally I had to pay you board to help you live.” That plaintiff and deceased told witness that deceased had promised his uncle that he would take care of plaintiff and the places as long as the plaintiff lived. “Owen Donahue testified that he heard deceased once say, when plaintiff was present, that he was her guardian, that his uncle asked him if he would be her guardian and he could stay in the house, have his room in the house, he to keep the houses in repair, look after her rent and not have any one impose on her, and she said nothing. “There was evidence that deceased did all the repairs about his aunt’s property, and there was evidence that he did not. There was evidence that he did a great deal in the — 665 — way of making repairs, and evidence that lie did very little; that the places were kept in very poor, repair. There was no evidence whatever as to the value of any services rendered by deceased for plaintiff, and no evidence that any services done for her were not paid for. There was testimony that the stable was not worth the rent charged; evidence, that for the purposes of this argument we may concede, tends to show that the deceased did not have the use of the cellar and the room at all the times charged for. But, except the testimony of Mrs. Lawrence, as to the payment or offset of that one item of $50, and except the testimony of Mrs. Welby, above referred to, there was no evidence of any payment, made by deceased to plaintiff, on account of his board or rent. And there was no evidence as to the value of any services rendered by the deceased.” At the request of the plaintiff the court instructed the jury, inter alia, as follows, after first modifying the instruction as asked by the plaintiff by inserting the words in brackets and italicised. “1. The court instructs the jury that, although they may find from the evidence that deceased was a nephew of plaintiff’s husband, and that he resided with her; that she was kind and attentive to him, and that their manner of living was such as is usual between members of the same family, and though you may find that there was no express agreement between them as to the amount that he should pay for his board and lodging, or for the use of any room or part of her premises used by him; yet, if you find from the evidence, taking into consideration the circumstances in life of the parties, and all the facts and circumstances shown, that any board and lodging furnished and here charged for, or that any room or part of her premises used by him and here charged for were furnished by plaintiff with the intention at the time on her part to charge therefor and the intention at the time on his part to pay for or be liable therefor, then — 666 — as to such items [us accrued within five years before the 23d day of April, 1896,] you must find for the plaintiff in such sums as you find from the evidence the board and lodging so furnished and the use of such part of the premises so used by him were reasonably worth.” And at the request of the defendant the court instructed the jury, inter alia, as follows: “A. The court instructs the jury that all the items or parts of items of plaintiffs account which accrued five years or more before the 23d day of April, 1896, are barred by the statute of limitation, and the plaintiff is not entitled to recover anything for same. “B. If the jury believe from the evidence that Daniel Horgan lived at the house and home of plaintiff, and that at the request or solicitation of plaintiff or of her deceased husband, remained there as a member of her family without any intention at the time on his part to pay for the accommodations received by him from her, and without any intention at the time on her part to charge him therefor, then they must find the issues for the defendant as to the items charged for such accommodations. And this is true even though the jury should believe from the evidence that plaintiff, after the said Daniel Horgan left her home, or after his decease, came to the conclusion to charge said Daniel Horgan for such accommodations. “C. The court instructs the jury that if they find from the evidence that .the deceased, Daniel Horgan, was the nephew of plaintiff’s husband and lived with her, and received his board, lodging and laundry during the time stated in plaintiff’s account, and that during all of said time the said deceased lived with plaintiff as a member of her family, and was recognized and treated by plaintiff as a member of her family, then, before the plaintiff can recover anything for such board, lodging and laundry, it devolves upon her to show by a preponderance of the evidence the- existence — 667 — of an agreement between berself and the said Daniel Horgan, deceased, that said Daniel Horgan would pay her for said board, lodging and laundry; and in such ease, unless you believe from the evidence that there was such an agreement between them, you should find for the defendant so far as the claim for board, washing and lodging is concerned. “D. Even though the jury may believe from the evidence that the deceased, Daniel Horgan, boarded and lodged with the plaintiff, and had the use of a storage room there, and used the cellar and stable in said premises, and agreed to pay for same, yet if the jury find from the evidence that deceased paid therefor prior to the time he left plaintiff’s residence, or at any other time, in services rendered or otherwise, they will find the issues for the defendant as to said items of plaintiff’s claim. And the court further instructs the jury that,' in determining whether the deceased made such payment to plaintiff either in services or otherwise, they will take into consideration all the facts and circumstances in the case. It is not necessary that the defendant should establish by direct and positive testimony that deceased made such payment, and if from all the facts and circumstances in evidence the jury believe that deceased made such payment, then they will find the issues for the defendant as to the items so paid.” There was a verdict for the defendant and the plaintiff appealed. I. The evidence was conflicting and it is conceded by appellant that there is some substantial evidence to support the verdict. The verdict therefore concludes the questions of fact as it is not denied that the defenses relied on are sufficient if proved to warrant a finding for the defendant. Only errors of law are therefore relied on by appellant. The — 668 — ■errors assigned are in tbe giving .of tbe instructions for tbe defendant, above set out, and the modification of tbe instruction aslced by tbe plaintiff. In tbe view we take of tbis case it is not necessary to pass upon tbe correctness of tbe ruling in modifying tbe plaintiff’s instruction or in giving tbe first instruction for tbe defendant, since that ruling only relates to tbe statute of limitations as to only a part of tbe plaintiff’s claim, and tbe jury has found against tbe whole of that ■claim. If tbe judgment is right it bars tbe whole claim and therefore tbe ruling as to a part thereof being barred by tbe statute of limitations is immaterial. Tbe appellant contends that tbe trial court erred in not instructing tbe jury that there was an implied promise of tbe deceased to pay for services, board and lodging rendered and furnished him, for tbe reason that “kinship, other than tbe relation of parent and child, does not overcome tbis presumption.” Two answers to tbis contention are apparent on tbe face of tbe record: first, tbe plaintiff did not ask tbe court to so instruct tbe jury, but on tbe contrary, by tbe instruction asked and given, put tbe case to tbe jury upon tbe ground that while it was not necessary that she should show an express ■ agreement, still tbe jury must find from all tbe facts and circumstances of the case that when she furnished tbe board and lodging she intended to charge her nephew for them, and that be intended to pay for them; and, second, tbe restriction of tbe presumption to pay to cases between parent and child, was not asserted in tbe trial court, but on tbe contrary tbe plaintiff’s instruction limited her right to recover upon her intention to charge and bis intention to pay at tbe time tbe board and lodging was furnished. Tbe plaintiff is limited on appeal to tbe theory on which she tried her case in tbe lower court, for it would be manifestly unjust to convict that court of error in respect to mat — 669 — xers upon which it never ruled, and upon claims or rights that were never called to its attention. This is axiomatic in appellate practice, and has been the accepted rule, certainly since 1868. [Trig v. Taylor, 27 Mo. 245; Walker v. Owen, 79 Mo. 563; Tomlinson v. Ellison, 104. Mo. 105; Hart v. Leete, 104 Mo. 315; Minton v. Steele, 125 Mo. 181.] Appellant further insists that after the court had properly given instruction B, for the defendant, it erred in giving instruction 0, for the reason that it cast the burden of proof upon the plaintiff, “to show by a preponderance of the evidence the existence of an agreement between herself and the said Daniel Horgan, deceased, that said Daniel Horgan would pay her for said board, lodging and laundry; and in such case, unless you believe from the evidence that there was such an agreement between them, you should find for the defendant so far as the claim for board, washing and lodging is concerned.” The instruction given for the plaintiff told the jury that proof of an express agreement was not necessary but that the plaintiff could recover if she intended to charge and he to pay for the board and lodging, while defendant’s instructions required the plaintiff to prove an agreement between plaintiff and the deceased that he would pay for his board and lodging. The difference between the two instructions is a mere matter of words. If she intended to charge him for board and he intended to pay her for board then their minds met at the same time concerning the same subject-matter, and hence there was an agreement. And of course their respective intentions could only be found by the jury from the facts and circumstances proved. If this be so, then there is no real difference between the two instructions as to the agreement or where the burden of proof rested. The plaintiff did not put her case upon an implied promise to pay and ask the court to instruct the jury that the burden of proof was on the — 670 — defendant to overcome the presumption. On the contrary both parties treated it as a case where the ordinary rules obtain that the burden of proof rests upon him who asserts the claim. If this was erroneous, it was an error invited, by the plaintiff and this court can not relieve her. [Loomis v. Railroad, 17 Mo. App. 340; Waller v. Railroad, 59 Mo. App. 410; Johnson-Brinkman Co. v. Central Bank, 116 Mo. 558; Sprague v. Sea, 152 Mo. 327.] If the defendant’s instruction was erroneous, by the same measure so was the plaintiff’s and a plaintiff can not complain of erroneous instructions asked by him. [Schmitz v. Railroad, 119 Mo. 256.] Nor is a plaintiff entitled to a reversal on a theory of law in conflict with the instructions which were given at his instance. [Mastin Bank v. Hammerslough, 72 Mo. 274; Clifton v. Sparks, 82 Mo. 115.] Both parties having tried this case upon the theory that the burden of proof was upon the plaintiff to prove a mutual intention or agreement that the plaintiff should receive pay for the board and lodging furnished by her to the deceased, it is too late now to predicate a right of recovery upon an implied promise which shifted the burden of proof to rebut the presumption upon the defendant. Therefore the circuit court committed no error in giving instruction O for the defendant. Instruction D given for defendant is claimed to have been improperly given for the reason that there was no evidence of any payments made by deceased for the use of the cellar and stable and.no evidence that he was not to be charged rent therefor, and that in any event the defendant would only be entitled to a credit of the fifty dollars which it appeared the plaintiff had in her possession and which belonged to the deceased. The theory on which the defendant tried the case in the circuit court was that the deceased did not owe the plaintiff anything either for board, lodging, rent, money borrowed or money collected, and that his agreement — 671 — with, his uncle, made when he was on his deathbed, was that he was to stay there, protect his widow, look after the property and keep up the repairs, and that the plaintiff knew of this agreement, ratified it after her husband’s death and admitted just before the deceased left the house — which was more than a year before he died — that such was the arrangement and that the deceased did not owe her anything on any account whatever, but on the contrary she begged him to return to her house as she had no one to protect her. This was the testimony of Mrs. Welby, and if the jury believed it they properly found for the defendant, and therefore this instruction could not possibly have prejudiced the plaintiff’s case before the jury, and does not constitute reversible error, under section 2303, Revised Statutes, 1889. The judgment of the circuit is therefore affirmed. "All concur, except Robinson, J., absent.