Duff v. Anderson
Duff v. Anderson
Opinion of the Court
This is an ordinary action of replevin by which plaintiff obtained judgment for the possession of certain cattle theretofore delivered to defendant under an agreement of purchase and sale. Defendant appeals.
1 By the terms of an agreement which bears date April 3, 1918, respondent agreed to sell, and appellant to buy, thirty-five dairy cows for $4,375. Upon the execution of the agreement $1,000 was paid. The balance, with interest at eight per cent per annum, was payable within one year in any event, and installment payments were to be made on account in the sum of $150 per month on the fifteenth day of each and every month, commencing May 15, 1918, title to remain in seller until the purchase price was fully paid. The purchaser was given possession of the cattle upon the execution of the agreement, and was to receive a bill of sale upon full payment of the contract price.
The following covenant was inserted in the agreement: “The said stock and all thereof shall be held for six months from the date hereof and subject to what is commonly called Tubercular Test made in conformity to the laws of said State. All cows passing such test shall be accepted by the second party at that time. If any of said cows do not pass such test at such time, the same shall be held for an additional period of six months and a like test shall be made of them during that time, and all thereof which pass *399 said test shall be accepted by the second party. At the end of one year from the date hereof if any of said cows fail to pass said test, then and in that event, the first party will withdraw the same from this contract and agreement and deduct $125 for each cow from the said purchase price, but the second party shall pay the first party $6.00 per month for each and every month of the milking period from the date hereof up to the time any animal is withdrawn by the first party for the reason that it does not pass said test. ’ ’
During the six months following the execution of' the agreement appellant made payments on account aggregating $765.17, but never made any thereafter.
On May 10th, and after the entire balance of the purchase price, with interest, amounting to $2,897.53, was due and unpaid, respondent delivered to appellant a written demand as follows:
“Fresno, May 10, 1919.
“To M. A. Amderson:
“Herewith is tendered to you a bill of sale conveying title to the cattle now in your possession belonging to me and the same will be delivered on payment of the sum of $2,897.53 being the amount due on contract for the sale of the same and demand is hereby made upon you for the said amount or in default of such payment possession of the cattle described in said bill of sale is hereby demanded.
“H. S. Duff.”
Upon the trial the appellant denied that respondent had exhibited or left with him any paper other than the written demand. The respondent, as a witness, upon being questioned whether he tendered the bill of sale, said that he did not; that he did not remember; that he had the bill óf sale in his possession at the time, and that it was his recollection that if Mr. Anderson (appellant) made any kind of settlement he was to turn over to him the bill of sale. Upon cross-examination, however, he said, “I think I exhibited this [bill of sale]. Q. You would not be sure? *400 A. No, but my instructions were to do it, and I think I did. Q. You did not leave it with him? A. I don’t think I did.” The evidence, at best, is weak. Still it was the province of the trial judge, and not ours, to pass upon its weight.
It appears that respondent went to the appellant’s ranch, acting under the instruction of his attorney; that he- was contemplating the immediate commencement of an action against appellant; that he had the bill of sale with him; that the written demand expressly stated that he tendered a bill of sale; that he had made unsuccessful and repeated demands upon appellant for money during the previous four months; and that he -had slight, if any, faith in the defendant making any settlement when he made the demand. In view of all the surrounding circumstances we think that the finding-is supported by the evidence, and shows an actual tender as found by the court.
The court found upon sufficient evidence that there was an actual tender of the bill of sale, and under section 2076 of the Code of Civil Procedure it devolved upon appellant at such time to specify any objection he had as to the instrument; otherwise it was waived.
If there was any uncertainty as to who was to make the test, this evidence shows that the court was warranted in believing from the conduct of the parties that they considered it to be, and that it was, the duty of appellant to do so. ‘ ‘ Subsequent acts of the parties, showing the construction they have put upon the agreement themselves, are to be looked to by the court, and in some cases may be controlling.” (9 Cyc. 588, and cases there cited.)
“Mr. M. A. Anderson:
“In regard to your complaint regarding the four cows that died, I will give you credit for $62.50 per head and will also receive the thirteen head turned down on test, and in final settlement deduct the amount from the contract.
“H. S. Duff.”
The court found upon sufficient evidence that there was no consideration for the instrument; that it was made at a time when all the payments on the contract were due, and as an offer of compromise. It appears that according to appellant’s own construction of the contract there was at least $734.53 unpaid on the agreement at the time of the demand. In any event he was not injured by a demand in excess of the amount due. All the cattle referred to in the agreement, except the four that died, were taken by plaintiff upon a writ at the time of the commencement of the action. Defendant in his answer admitted that plaintiff was entitled to the possession of the thirteen head mentioned. The court found that all the cattle described in the agreement, except *402 these four cows that died, were so taken by plaintiff upon the writ and retained by him. The judgment declares plaintiff to be the owner and entitled to the possession, but does not award plaintiff any money or their value, if delivery cannot be had.
It is claimed that the court seriously erred in admitting evidence to the effect, and in finding, that defendant failed to feed or pasture the livestock as required by the contract, inasmuch as no claim of such failure was ever made by plaintiff until the time of the trial. Assuming that the action of the court was erroneous, it must be disregarded, unless it appear that a different result would have been probable if the error had not occurred. (Sec. 475, Code Civ. Proc.) It is obvious that the respondent would be entitled to judgment even if this finding had been in favor of appellant.
Appellant failed to make his payments, although frequently urged so to do. He paid no money after December 24, 1918, nor did he make a tender of any after that date. While he alleged in his answer that at the time of the demand he offered to pay to plaintiff all sums due, it is apparent that his talk upon that subject at the time of the demand was a mere, subterfuge to further postpone the day of settlement, while he was receiving the income from the dairy cows.
The judgment is modified by striking out the following words: “together with the increase thereof while in possession of defendant M. A. Anderson, or if delivery of the increase now in possession of defendant cannot be *403 had then for seven dollars per head damages for its detention.” In all other respects the judgment is affirmed, each party to pay his own costs upon appeal.
Kerrigan, J., and Richards, J., concurred.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- H. S. DUFF, Respondent, v. M. A. ANDERSON, Appellant
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published