Singer Manufacturing Co. v. Pollock

MacLEAN, J.

The parties were employer and employe in selling sewing machines at fixed prices, with compensation to the defendant of graded premiums and two sorts of commissions, payable out of the payments turned in by him, but really in anticipation, because refundable if accounts opened by him with his customers proved uncollectible—he undertook the collection—or if the machines repossessed on conditions stated in the written agreement of hiring. Upon discontinuance, by the employer, of the employment, there arose this action, in which was given, and not disputed, evidence of accounts uncollectible, of machines repossessed, of sale below the prices fixed, and of sums collected but not turned over by the defendant, who offered no testimony. All these were disregarded in the award of judgment only for certain items of counterclaim, including $100 deposited to secure the defendant’s fidelity. For this disregard of covenanted obligations, creating practically a new agreement for the parties, the judgment must be reversed, and a new trial ordered.

Judgment reversed, and a new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event.

SCOTT, P. J., concurs.