Abee v. Covington
Abee v. Covington
Opinion of the Court
This is a suit for §227.50, instituted by appellee against Herman Laux and O. C. Abee, which was alleged to be due as a commission on certain real estate in San Antonio, which was sold by Laux to Abee. The cause was submitted to a jury on special issues, by the answers to which the jury found that the property sold for $4,500, that Laux agreed to pay appellee a commission of 5 per cent, on said sum, and that Abee agreed, as a part of the consideration for the land, to pay the commission. On the answers judgment was rendered in favor of appellee for $227.50 as against Laux and Abee, and that Laux recover over against Abee for that sum. This appeal is perfected by Abee alone.
Appellee testified that he was employed by Laux to sell his property, fixing its value at $5,500, and agreeing to pay appellee a commission of 5 per (jent. on that amount, if a sale was perfected. In response to an advertisement by appellee, Abee came to his office and said he had concluded to offer $4,-800 for the land. In arriving at this sum it was estimated that Abee would pay a certain debt on the property amounting to $4,060, taxes $258.82, an additional $250 cash for Laux and $250 for commissions. The whole amounted to $4,818, which Abee said he would pay. A written contract to this effect was drawn up by appellee, but never signed by appellant but the latter went to see Laux, and bought the property for $4,830. That is all that ever passed between appellant and appellee. Appellee states the grounds on which he places the liability of appellant and Laux as follows:
“I claim that defendant Laux owes me this amount because he listed this property with me and agreed to pay me the customary 5 per cent, commission, and I claim that defendant Abee owes me this amount because in figuring the price of the lot my commission of $250 was included in the figures made by him, and he accepted those figures and said that he would take the property from Mr. Laux at that price.”
Appellant swore that he refused to sign a written contract presented by appellee embodying the terms testified to by him.
It becomes unnecessary to discuss the different assignments, because the testimony fails to show any liability on the part of appellant to pay any commission for the sale of the land. The authorities cited have no applicability to the facts of this case.
Our former opinion is withdrawn, the judgment of the county court is reversed, and judgment here rendered that, as to Herman Laux, appellee, W. O. Covington recover the sum of $227.50, together with 6 per cent, interest from November 15, 1920, date of judgment of court below, and that as to appellant, C. C. Abee, appellee recover nothing,, and that appellee pay all costs in this behalf expended.
Reversed and rendered.
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Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.