Kazman v. Light

[733]

JAMES, J.

This appeal, taken by the defendant, is presented on the judgment-roll and involves the question as to whether the complaint of the plaintiff states facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action and whether the findings of the court are sufficient to sustain the judgment.

The controversy arose as the result of a transaction in which plaintiff and defendant were engaged as copartners. It is determined by the findings of fact which, under this record, we must assume are correct, that plaintiff and defendant associated themselves together in the purchase of two diamonds. For one of the diamonds they paid the sum of $635 and for the second $950, together with some small charges by way of commissions, etc. In this venture they agreed to share profits and losses. The diamond first referred to was sold and an accounting made to the copartnership. The defendant reported to the plaintiff that he had received an offer of $1,092 for the second diamond, whereupon plaintiff agreed to purchase the diamond himself and paid the copartnership the sum last mentioned. All of the partnership business having been concluded, the accounts were adjusted and settled. Later, one. Taylor brought an action of claim and delivery against plaintiff, wherein she asserted title to the diamond so purchased by the plaintiff from the copartnership and in that action she obtained judgment for $1,000, together with costs, which judgment was paid by respondent. This action was then brought to recover of the defendant one-half of the money expended by the plaintiff in satisfying the judgment of Taylor. The plaintiff in his complaint herein first set forth account for money had and received. In the second and third alleged causes of action the facts in detail, the substance of which we have narrated, were stated and in addition thereto it was alleged that upon the bringing of the action by Taylor against this plaintiff, defendant was informed thereof and agreed that if plaintiff would defend that action that he, this defendant, would pay one-half of any judgment that might be rendered against Kazman. It was alleged that defendant had paid the sum of $36 and no more and that he refused to pay any further sum. Leaving aside other questions, it seems not to be disputed that the agreement of appellant to pay one-half of any judgment that might be rendered against respondent in the suit by Taylor