Fallon v. Reynolds
Fallon v. Reynolds
Opinion of the Court
These two cases were argued together and will be so dealt with here. On the 27th day of May, 1922, Tillie B. Reynolds, and Patrick Fallon and Catherine Fallon, entered into articles of agreement, whereby Mrs. Reynolds agreed to convey to the Fallons, for the consideration therein named, the premises No. 258 Watchung avenue, in the town of West Orange. The agreement called for the payment of $350 as the first installment due upon the consideration of $5,200.
When the plaintiffs rested, the defendant moved for a non-suit on the painting claim for $328 on the ground (J) that the plaintiffs had not actually paid out any money on the painting, and (2) on the ground that it was an act solely for her benefit and not for that of the defendant. The judge refused to grant the motion, and an exception was noted to the defendant. At the conclusion of the cases the defendant moved for a verdict in her favor in the painting claim on the ground that the evidence showed the painting to have been done without the knowledge or consent of the defendant, and without her authority. In the suit involving the return of the purchase-money on the ground that Patrick Fallon had not been joined. At this point the court suggested that Patrick Fallon’s name he added by wav of an amendment, and this was done. To the ruling of the court permitting the amendment, an exception was allowed, but no exception was taken to tile refusal of the court to render the verdict as requested.
There wras evidence in the case which would justify a finding that the defendant, the vendor, had failed to carry out her agreement, and the trial judge so found. Upon this finding the defendant became liable for the return of the purchase-money already paid and for the damages which her
After the painting had been completed, however, there is proof in the case that the defendant was apprised of the fact, and that she promised to “refund the deposit money and pay all expenses.” The only claim to which the expression “pay all expenses” could reasonably refer was the painting item. There was no proof of any other demand except the $350 deposited on the making, of the agreement. As trier of the facts we cannot say that the judge erred in deeming this to be a promise to pay the painting bill. While the painting of the house was a voluntary act on the part of the plaintiff, and no liability must attach by reason of that fact, even though the defendant benefited thereby, it was competent for the defendant to obligate herself to repay it. She was a defaulting vendor, and a promise to pay for painting and materials on her house could be predicated on a release of the vendee’s rights. There is ample proof that this was the case. • The plaintiff’s story was that if plaintiff would sign a paper requesting defendant to take the property back, the defendant would return the deposit and pay all expenses! There was therefore a sufficient consideration for the ¡promise.
The result we reach is to affirm the judgment in each case.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.