McCuin v. Frazier

Smith, P. J.

This suit originated before a justice of the peace, and was based upon an account for §32.50, for work and labor, and the hire of three mules.

The defendant filed the following set-off:

“To pasturing forty-three head of cattle of plaintiff ’ s during the season of 1887, as per contract therefor, at fifty cents per head. .. $21 50

“To pasturing thirty-two head of cattle and thirty head of horses and mules of plaintiff’s from April 1, to June 15, 1887, at fifty cents per head per month............. 77 50

“ Total amount due defendant...... $101 00”

The defendant recovered judgment for $2.75, from which plaintiff appealed.

At the trial the plaintiff objected to the introduction of any testimony under the last item in the defendant’s account, upon the ground that it was not a proper set-off in the case, not being for damages growing out of the contract or subject of plaintiff’s cause of action.

‘ The defendant, while on the witness stand, was asked how many head of horses, mules and cattle of the plaintiff did he see in a certain pas Lure which defendant was in possession of under one Hall, to which the plaintiff objected on the ground that the defendant could not recover for more cattle than plaintiff had contracted with the defendant to graze in his pasture. The objection of the plaintiff to both of these questions was overruled by the court, and to which ruling plaintiff saved his exceptions.

The statute, section 8867, Revised Statutes, which provides that “if any two or more persons are mutually indebted in any manner whatsoever, and one of them commence an action against the other, one debt may be set-off against the other although such debts are of different nature,” furnishes a sufficient answer to the plaintiff’s first objection. This statute, as interpreted in Weiss v. Wahl, 5 Mo. App. 408, means merely that the indebtedness must be such as to entitle plaintiff to an action against defendant, and defendant to an action against plaintiff. The very terms of the statute, just ■quoted, clearly show that debts of “different nature” can be set-off, the one against the other.

The cross-demands do not have to grow out of. the contract or cause of action upon which the plaintiff sues, but they may be of “different nature.”

As to'the second ground of the plaintiff’s objection to -the question propounded by defendant to the witness, it may be remarked that even if the plaintiff did turn Into defendant’s pasture more stock than he was authorized to under his agreement with the defendant, for such stock as were grazed, in excess of the number mentioned in the agreement, the plaintiff was undoubtedly liable for whatever it was reasonably worth to graze the same, and that defendant could recover therefor in an action of indebitatus assumpsit, or which is the same thing on an implied contract. The doctrine is a familiar one in this state, that a party may waive the tort and sue in assumpsit. Finlay, v. Bryson, 84 Mo. 670.

The defendant could have recovered in trespass for such excessive pasturage, but he had the right to waive the trespass, and sue on an implied contract. ' The defendant made no claim for unliquidated damages. His counter-statement was in the nature of a demand arising on contract, and was the subject of set-off. The defendant’s statement shows very conclusively that he did not make claim for unliquidated damages.

No such construction of it is justified by its form or substance. Under the comprehensive provisions of the statute in relation to set-off, it was sufficient to authorize defendant to give evidence thereunder to sustain his cross.-demand.

But since it is apparent that the jury did hot allow the second item of the defendant’s account, it is immaterial what was its nature since it worked no harm to the plaintiff.

There are other objections to the admission of testimony considered in the plaintiff’s brief, but if such objections were made at the trial, the same are not preserved in the bill of exceptions, and hence we cannot notice them. Margrave v. Ausmuss, 51 Mo. 561; Sexton v. Allen, 49 Mo. 417.

It follows, therefore, from these observations that the judgment of the circuit court most be affirmed.

All concur.