Dupries v. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co.
Dupries v. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co.
Opinion of the Court
By the Court.
Defendants motion to have the judgment in this case opened, and for leave to answer, was addressed to the discretion of the court below and we see no evidence of its abuse. The facts (as to which there is no disagreement) were such as, in our opinion, to warrant the court in coming to the conclusion that defendant’s default was the result of mingled surprise and excusable neglect.
If Cary had prepared the answer, as he intended to do, in accordance with his telegram to Mitchell, the default would not have occurred; that he did not prepare it, was owing to Ithe fact that he was “ suddenly and unexpectedly called away
When the last extension of time to answer was asked for, it appears that plaintiff’s counsel at first declined to grant the same, but that the time to answer was at length extended until Monday forenoon following, with the understanding, that if the answer was not served at that time plaintiff might proceed to take judgment.- Judgment was entered up accordingly. Plaintiff claims that this was a contract to let him take what he styles a valid judgment, meaning as he explains it, a judgment which defendant would not move to vacate. But admitting, for arguments sake, merely, plaintiff’s claim that the circumstances attending the last extension make out a contract, we are of opinion that the contract goes no further than to bind defendant to permit plaintiff to take judgment. This is the language of the supposed contract, and we perceive no reason for giving it any additional meaning beyond its language. Judging, from the ordinary course of business of this kind we presume that defendant’s agreement was in substance as if be had said to plaintiff, “ You have already granted me several extensions, and since you object to a further extension, if you will consent to extend till Monday forenoon next, if I do not answer by that time you may take judgment, and I will not complain or Eysk you to extend further.”
The objection that the affidavit o'f Cary and the proposed answer do not show that defendant has any defense, is not much urged, and we need say no more than that we think it not well taken.
Order affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Zepherin Dupries v. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co.
- Status
- Published