Shaller v. Johnson-Mcquiddy Cattle Co.
Shaller v. Johnson-Mcquiddy Cattle Co.
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal from a judgment of the county court to this court, which judgment was rendered in favor of the appellee Johnson-McQuiddy Cattle Company against the appellant, G. H. Shaller. The cause was first instituted in the justice court, and from a judgment in favor of appellant in that court was appealed to the county court.
The appellee alleged that the appellant was due him $200 commission on a sale of 958 head of two year old steers, which the appellant agreed to pay for securing the sale of the cattle. Appellees also pleaded that appellant agreed to pay a commission of 50 cents per head for procuring a purchaser; that they did procure such purchaser, who bought the cattle; that after the cattle were sold and some other negotiations the appellees agreed to take and accept as their compensation or commission the sum of $200. The appellant denied generally these allegations, and alleged specially that the listing of cattle with appellee for sale was conditional. That the conditions stipulated were as follows: (1) That defendants agreed to pay a commission to plaintiffs if plaintiffs would find a purchaser for the cattle, who would pay the defendant $60 per head; (2) that defendants would not pay a commission to plaintiffs if the cattle were sold to a buyer with whom defendant was already in trading relations, or with whom the defendant was negotiating for the sale of the cattle; (3)' that defendant was not to pay a commission to plaintiff if the cattle were sold to an old customer of defendant; and further alleged that these cattle were not sold for $60 per head, and Kelly was an old customer of theirs with whom they were in trading relations, and with whom defendant had been negotiating for the sale of the cattle, and that they were not therefore liable for the commissions sued for.
The first assignment is that the court should have sustained appellant’s motion for an instructed verdict because there was no evidence showing the contract to pay $200 commission. We believe the court properly overruled this motion. If the appellee’s testimony was found to be true by the jury, it authorized the finding that appellant agreed to take $55 per head, for his cattle, and to pay 25 cents per head commission on the sale. The mere fact that afterwards appellee allowed Shaller $50 on his expense account Would not defeat the contract. 'The appellant is not injured by such credit or by reason of the suit being less than for the amount due under the contract.
The second assignment is overruled for the reasons above given.
“I took it for granted he [Shaller] accepted my proposition to take $200 commission. I understood he would pay me $200. I understood I had a contract with him to pay me $200.”
The bill of exception is not such as to show error. Ordinarily, a witness’ understanding is not admissible. He should detail the facts. In this case the witness had given the facts on direct examination, and from the context in the cross-examination ■it would appear that the questions were so presented by appellant as to call upon the witness to give his understanding of those facts; at any rate, we do not think the bill of exceptions shows any material injury. The bill of exceptions is not set out in substance in the brief. The quotations given by us are embodied only in the assignment. The statement does not pretend to show under what conditions or under what circumstances the witness answered as set up and we are unable to determine that either was error.
The fifth assignment is overruled. As we read the record, the evidence did not call for the charge here requested.
The contract, however, relied upon in this case, was, as we understand the appellee, that if the trade was made for $55 per head, that the appellants would take 25 cents per head instead of 50 cents. If the appellant desired his theory presented, that is, that he was to pay nothing if the cattle sold *556 for less than $60, lie should have reguested a proper charge.
The eighth assignment is overruled. The charge of the court is not objectionable on the grounds here lodged against it.
The ninth assignment we do not think presents reversible error.
The tenth assignment is overruled.
For the reasons above given, the case will be reversed and remanded.
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