Abeles v. Cohen , 8 Kan. 180 ( 1871 )

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Valentine, J.:

Adolph Cohen as plaintiff brought his action in the court below against Simon Abeles on an account for goods sold and delivered. The admitted facts seem to be substantially as follows: M. Lauber was in failing circumstances as a merchant. H. W. Kartzenberg & Co. took possession of his stock of goods under a chattel mortgage to them, and closed his store. Lauber’s friends, among whom was the plaintiff, desired to help him. Abeles, at their request assumed the payment of his debts to Kartzenberg & Co., and Cohen and others gave an indemnity bond to Abeles. Abeles also took a bill of sale of said goods from Kartzenberg & Co., with the consent of Lauber, to himself. The store was then reopened. Lauber was placed in possession, and he transacted the business connected therewith in the name of “M. Lauber, salesman.” Lauber bought the goods for which Cohen sues Abeles. They were purchased for the purpose of keeping up said stock of goods, and were made a part thereof. Abeles afterwards took possession of said stock of goods under his bill of sale from Kartzenberg & Co., and had them sold at auction. He realized enough from the sale of the goods to pay all debts of Lauber for which he was liable, and had $152.37 left. Cohen then sued him for $139.98 and interest. Abeles then paid said $152.37 to Lauber, less certain attorney’s fees. The disputed facts seem to be substantially as follows: Whether said bill of sale was an absolute sale or chattel mortgage: Whether Abeles took possession of the goods himself when he received the bill of sale, and simply allowed Lanber to do the business connected therewith as his agent, or whether Lauber retook possession of the goods as his own or as mortgagor: Whether Abeles authorized Lauber to purchase goods from Cohen and others on his credit, and whether Cohen gave the credit to Lauber or to Abeles. The jury found generally for the plaintiff Cohen, and against the defendant Abeles, and assessed the damages at $139.98.

i. Bona of muon“yy¿wi-" gee' In the investigation of this case we shall follow the brief of counsel for plaintiff in error, (defendant below.) The first point that plaintiff in error makes is, “ That the court erred in charging the jury that no defense could arise out of the bond- of indemnity executed by Cohen and others to defendant.” The charge complained of is as follows: “ In regard to the bond spoken of as executed by plaintiff and others to defendant, inasmuch as defendant concedes that at the time of the commencement of this suit he had in his possession, over and ab'ove all that he paid out, and interest thereon, as the proceeds of this stock of goods, more than enough to pay the account of plaintiff, I charge you that no counter-claim nor set-off can arise out of it.” This instruction we think explains itself, and is correct for this case.

s. witness; evidence; examination, Second: Plaintiff in error claims that “The court erred in permitting Cohen to testify on the trial that he supposed all the time that the store belonged to Abeles, and ° that he was responsible for all goods received at that store.” This was competent evidence to show, in connection with other, (and it was given for that purpose,) that Cohen gave the credit to Abeles and not to Lauber; and it does not appear from the record that it was used for any other purpose.

3. instructions need not be repeated. Third: It is also claimed by plaintiff in error that “The court erred in refusing to "give the following instruction asked for by Abeles: ‘ That the mortgagee of personal property still in possession of the mortgagor is not responsi- \ o o *. ble for any purchases-or other indebtedness created by tbe mortgager concerning tbe mortgaged property.’ ” Tbis instruction was in substance given to tbe jury twice, and tbe court was not bound to give it to tbe jury tbe third time.

Fourth: Tbe plaintiff in error further claims that “Tbe court erred in refusing to give to tbe jury tbe instruction asked for below, ‘ That if tbe jury believe from tbe evidence that tbe plaintiff Cohen sold tbe goods to M. Lauber, and that the credit was given to k£. Lauber, and Lauber only, tbe defendant Abeles cannot be charged therefor except upon bis promise in writing to pay for them.’ ” Tbis instruction was in substance given to tbe jury once, and tbe court could not be required to give it a second time.

4 New trial • surprise. Fifth: “Plaintiff in error further claims that be was entitled to a new trial on tbe ground of surprise.” Tbe surprise which the defendant below desired a new tidal, was, that the witness Lauber testified differently on tbis trial from what be bad done on a former trial of tbe same case in a justice’s court. It is admitted that tbe same counsel tried tbe case in both courts, and it is probable also that tbe same witnesses attended and testified at both trials, for tbe defendant below in bis affidavit for a new trial does not pretend to say that such was not tbe case. In fact, from anything that appears in the affidavit twenty persons may have been present and beard Lauber’s testimony on both trials. Now tbe defendant does not seem to have been surprised until after tbe verdict, for if be bad been before that time, and during tbe trial in tbe court below, be could have easily impeached Lauber’s testimony (if it was really different as be claims it was on tbe two trials,) by tbe testimony of bis own counsel, tbe testimony of tbe plaintiff’s counsel, and tbe testimony of any person who was present and beard Lauber’s testimony at tbe two trials. But strange if be really was surprised be made no attempt to impeach Lauber’s testimony. We fail to perceive any “surprise wbicb ordinary prudence could not have guarded against.”

b. verdict, _ deuce. Sixth: Tbe plaintiff in error insists that tbe. court erred in not granting a new trial upon tbe ground that “ tbe verdict was not sustained by sufficient evidence, and was contrary to law.” Tbe evidence upon some of tbe points was conflicting, and possibly upon one or two of them the weight was with the defendant below; but still there was some evidence upon every point, and we think sufficient to sustain the verdict. But before we can reverse the order of the district court for the reason that the verdict was not sustained by sufficient evidence, it must appear clear that a great preponderance of the evidence was against the verdict or against some material fact necessary to uphold the verdict. In many cases where the district court ought to set aside the verdict and grant a new trial for the said reason the supreme court cannot do so because the supreme coiu-t cannot weigh the testimony as it appears on paper as well as the district court can who hears it as it falls from the lips of the witness. The verdict was certainly not against the law. The plaintiff in error says that “The evidence nowhere shows any authority whatever from Abeles to Lauber to purchase goods either express or implied, nor any promise of Abeles to pay this or any other debt of Lauber’s contracting.” Counsel must have forgotten Lauber’s testimony, and they must also have forgotten what the plaintiff in error states in his affidavit for a new trial that Lauber testified to.

g. owner of fackS¿n-ima aence. Seventh: The plaintiff in error also claims that “the court erred in charging the jury at Cohen’s request that the owner and proprietor of a stock of goods kept for sale is prima facie responsible for .the debts created in the keeping up of the stock for the purpose of effecting a better sale of the entire stock.” This we think is a correct statement of the law upon this subject.

The judgment of the court below is affirmed.

Ejngman, O.- J., concurring. Brewer, J., not sitting in the case.