Marshall v. Trerise

MR. JUSTICE MILBURN delivered the opinion of the court. Plaintiff sued the defendants upon their promissory note for $700 and for attorneys’ fees, and recovered judgment as prayed. The defendant Trerise appeals from the judgment and from an order denying his motion for a new trial. The defendants admitted the making of the note, but denied that there was anything due from them to the plaintiff, in that the plaintiff was indebted to Trerise in the sum of $1,000 for services performed by defendant Orr as a real estate agent, his claim having been assigned to defendant Trerise before the commencement of the action. Two errors are assigned: First, that the instructions are conflicting ; and, second, that the verdict and the judgment are contrary to the evidence — the defendant’s position as to the latter assignment being that the evidence in support of his .claim was sufficient, and that there had not been introduced any testimony whatever by the plaintiff in opposition thereto, and that therefore the jury should have found for him on the counterclaim. The instructions, as they appear in the record, are not arranged in proper order. They are few, being only four, the one numbered “2” being first given. It is in regard to the counterclaim, and telling the jury that if it should find from the evidence that plaintiff engaged Orr as alleged, and agreed to pay him $1,000 for his services, and that Orr carried out his contract, and that the claim had been assigned to Trerise and had not been paid, then Trerise was entitled to recover in the action. Instruction No. 1, next given, tells the jury that if it should find for Trerise in excess of the amount due on the note there [31] should be deducted the amount due upon the note from the amount due upon the counterclaim, and a verdict should be rendered for Trerise for the difference. The third instruction tells the jury about the attorney’s fee, and says that, “If you find for the plaintiff, you shall also find a reasonable attorney’s fee.” The last instruction informs the jury that the defendants admitted the making and delivery of the note, and if the jury believed from the evidence that the defendants had not paid the same except some interest, then the verdict should be for the plaintiff for the principal sum sued for, with interest. - The effect of these instructions is that the jury should adjust the differences between-the two parties, and that if it should find for the defendant Trerise in a sum in excess of what might be owing on the note with attorney’s fee, then the defendant should have a verdict, otherwise not; and that in any event it should find for the plaintiff for the note, if it had not been paid; and if the counterclaim had not been proven to their satisfaction, then he should have a verdict accordingly for the amount owing upon the note, with attorney’s fee. The theory of the case as submitted by the court to the jury as to the counterclaim was wrong, inasmuch as it does not appear that the contract between the broker and the vendor was in writing, as it should have been under subsection 6 of section 2185 of the Civil Code, to wit: “An agreement authorizing or employing an agent or broker to purchase or sell real estate for compensation or a commission” is invalid unless the same or some note or memorandum thereof be in writing, and subscribed by the party to be charged or his agent. (King v. Benson, 22 Mont. 256, 56 Pac. 280.) The court submitted the matter of the counterclaim to the jury upon the evidence introduced by defendant, and, as we have seen, gave instructions upon the same as though the aforementioned section of'the statute of frauds did not exist. But the question before us is whether or not the evidence thus erroneously submitted to the jury supports the verdict. We have [32] examined it carefully, and are of the opinion that no contract was proven by the defendant upon which the counterclaim — even upon the erroneous theory of the court as to the law — could be supported. Rehearing denied October 10, 1905. The instructions are not conflicting, and the evidence is not sufficient to support the counterclaim, and these being the only errors assigned, the judgment and order must be affirmed. Affirmed. Mr. C iee Justice Brantly and Mr. Justice Holloway concur.