Case Name: J. J. BEHLES v. MAURICE DUFFY, as Administrator of the Estate of Mary Duffy, Deceased
Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: North Dakota
Decision Date: 1916-10-10
Citations: 35 N.D. 181
Docket Number: 
Parties: J. J. BEHLES v. MAURICE DUFFY, as Administrator of the Estate of Mary Duffy, Deceased.
Judges: 
Reporter: North Dakota Reports
Volume: 35
Pages: 181–192

Head Matter:
J. J. BEHLES v. MAURICE DUFFY, as Administrator of the Estate of Mary Duffy, Deceased.
(159 N. W. 838.)
Action to recover on an alleged, promissory note for $2,500 of Mary Duffy, wliicli defendant claims she never executed, and to bo a forgery. Held:
Promissory note — action on — execution — forgery — evidence — genuineness of note.
1. The evidence is sufficient to sustain the finding of the trial court that the instrument is not the note of Mary Duffy, but was written in over her signature.
Production of note — by plaintiff — completeness of note — no evidence of — nor presumption of law — proof — inferences llierefrom.
2. No presumption of law applies that,, from plaintiff’s production of the note in complete form, with her signature underneath it, that it was complete, and such when delivered as against inferences under the proof.
Note — com ¡ilcte in form — delivery of — possession of — presumption of law — proof.
3. There is no presumption of law that she delivered the note in complete form or at all under the proof.
Circumstances — inferences from — alteration of note — facts — issues for jury.
4. All inferences from the circumstances proved, including the alteration apparent upon the face of the instrument when examined under a microscope, are of fact and for the determination of the jury as issues of fact.
Opinion filed October 10, 1916.
An appeal from the District Court of McLean County, Nuessle, J.
Affirmed.
II. F. O’llwre, for appellant.
The defense here is forgery, and evidence as to the financial standing of the parties was introduced to prove the probability of the defendant having signed the note. Such evidence is not admissible. Bridge-man v. Corey, 62 Yt. 1, 20 Atl. 273; Pettiford v. Mayo^ 117 N. C. 27, 23 S. E. 252; Taylor v. Gale, 14 Wash. 57, 44 Pac. 110; Bliss v. Johnson, 162 Mass. 323, 38 N. E. 446; Martin v. Knight, 147 N. C. 564, 61 S. E. 447; Hyman v. Kirt, 153 Mich. 113, 116 N. W„ 536.
Plaintiff made out a prima facie case by proving tbe signature on tbe note and the last indorsement, and tbe offer of tbe note in evidence. Kerr v. Anderson, 16 N. D. 36, 111 N. W. 614; Dan. Neg. Inst. 812; Shepard v. Ilanson, 9 N. D. 249, 83 N. W. 20, 10 N. D. 194, 86 N. W. 704; Tapia v. Baggett, 167 Ala. 381, '52 So. 834; Barnes v. Spencer & B. Oo. 162 Micb. 509, 139 Am. St. Rep. 587, 127 N. W. 752; Johnson County Sav. Bank v. Koch, 38 Pa. Super. Ct. 553; Stouffer v. Kelcbner, 38 Pa. Super. Ct. 475; De Leon v. Walters, 163 Ala. 499, 50 So. 934, 19 Ann. Cas. 914; Jackson & S. Traction Co. v. Green, 93 C. C. A. 272, 167 F'ed. 806; Olson v. Day, 23 S. D. 150, 120 N. W. 883, 20 Ann. Cas. 516; McKeand v. Feinberg, 145 111. App. 274; Walsh v. Allen, 6 Colo. App. 303, 40 Pac. 473; 8 Cyc. 69, 71, under note 23.
Tbe burden of proof is on tbe party pleading want or failure of consideration. Keelyn v. Strieder, 148 111. App. 238; Ewen v. Temple-ton, 148 111. App. 46; Speeler v. Ileil, 77 N. J. Eq. 592, 78 Atl. 692; Taylor v. Taylor, 138 Micb. 658, 101 N. W. 832; American Nat. Bank v. Lundy, 21 N. D. 167, 129 N. W. 99; Columbian Bkg. Co. v. Bowen, 134 Wis. 218, 114 N. W. 451.
So, in pleading fraud or forgery. Brokaw v. McElroy, 162 Iowa, 288, 50 L.R.A.(N.S.) 835, 143 N. W. 1087; Toledo, S. & M. R. Co. v. Peters, 177 Micb. 76, 143 N. W. 18; National German American Bank v. Lang, 2 N. D. 66, 49 N. W. 414; First Nat. Bank v. Laugblin, 4 N. D. 391,' 61 N. W. 473; Seybold v. Grand Forks Nat. Bank, 5 N. D. 460, 67 N. W. 682; Ravicz v. Nichells, 9 N. D. 536, 84 N. W. 353; Vickery v. Burton, 6 N. D. 245, 69 N. W. 193, and cases cited; Gawthorpe v. Clark, 173 Micb. 267, 138 N. W. 1075; Fordyce v. Humphrey, 152 Iowa, 76, 131 N. W. 686; Blakesburg Sav. Bank v. Burton, 156 Iowa, 671, 137 N. W. 916; First Nat. Bank v. Fulton, 156 Iowa, 734, 137 N. W. 1019.
It must be shown that tbe forgery by alteration took place after execution and delivery. Bailey v, Taylor, 11 Conn. 531, 29 Am. Dec. 321; Hunt v. Gray, 35 N. J. L. 228, 10 Am. Rep. 232; Gooch v. Bryant, 13 Me. 386; Crabtree v. Clark, 20 Me. 337; Neil v. J. I. Case & Co. 25 Kan. 510, 37 Am. Rep. 259; Beaman v. Russell, 20 Vt. 205, 49 Am. Dec. 775; Davis v. Jenney, 1 Met. 221; Cass County v. American Exeh. State Bank, 9 N. D. 263, 83 N. W. 12; Dorsey v. Conrad, 49 Neb. 443, 68 N. W. 645; Lacbemmaier v. Hanson, 116 0.’ O. A. 397, 196 Fed. 773; Pastene v. Pardini, 135 Cal. 431, 67 Pac. 861; Griswold v. Davis, 31 Yt. 390; Woodford v. Dorwin, 3 Yt. 82, 21 Am. Dec. 573; Garrigns v. Home, Frontier & F. Missionary Soc. 3 Ind. App. 91, 50 Am. St. Eep. 262, 28 N. W. 1009; Xnapstein v. Tinnette, 156 111. 322, 40 N. E. 947; Winfrey v. Eagan, 136 Mo. App. 250, 117 S. W. 83; Gandy v. Bissell, 72 Neb. 356, 100 N. W. 803; 1 Dan. Neg. Inst. ¶ 812, p. 962, and notes cited there; Cranson v. Goss, 107 Mass. 439, 9 Ami Eep. 45; Sinclair v. Baggaley, 4 Mees. & W. 312, 150 Eng. Eeprint, 1448, 7 L. J. Exch. N. S. 305, 1 Horn & H. 294, 2 Jur. 283; Anderson v. Weston, 6 Bing. N. C. 296, 133 Eng. Eeprint, 117, 8 Scott, 583, 9 L. J. C. P. N. S. 194, 4 Jur. 105; Emery v. Yinall, 2'6 Me. 295; Churchill v. Gardner, 7 T. E. 596, 101 Eng. Eeprint, 1151; Smith v. McClure, 5 East, 477, 102 Eng. Eeprint, 1153, 2 Smith, 43, 7 Eevised Eep. 750; Exchange Bank v. Veirs, 3 Cal. App. 71, 84 Pac. 455; Binney v. Plumley, 5 Yt. 500, 26 Am. Dec. 313.
Possession of note by payee, or other person aside from maker, is prima facie evidence of delivery. Bellows v. Folsom, 4 Eobt. 43; Stouifer v. Curtis, 198 Mass. 560, 85 N. E. 180; Oarrigus v. Home, Frontier & F. Missionary Soc. 3 Ind. App. 91, 50 Am. St. Eep. 262, 28 N. E. 1009; Gandy v. Bissell, 81 Neb. 102, 115 N. W. 571-, 117¡ N. W. 349; Massachusetts Nat. Bank v. Snow, 187 Mass. 159, 72 N. E. 959.
And such possession raises the presumption of ownership. Home Sav. Bank v. Stewart, 78 Neb. 624, 110 N. W. 947; Hurt v. Ford, — Mo. —, 36 S. W. 671; Hodge v. Smith, 130 Wis. 326, 110 N. W. 192; Allison v. Hollembeak, 138 Iowa, 479, 114 N. W. 1059; H^ll v. Wortman, 123 Mich. 304, 82 N. W. 50; Baumeister v. Kuntz, 53 Fla. 340, 42 So. 886; Montvale v. People’s Bank, 74 N. J. L. 464, 67 Atl. 67; Colborn v. Arhecam, 54 Misc. 623, 104 N. Y. Supp. 986; Moak v. Stevens, 45 Misc. 147, 91 N. Y. Supp. 903; Poess v. Twelfth Ward Bank (Check) semble, 43 Misc. 45, 86 N. Y. Supp. 857; Greeser v. Sugarman, 37 Misc. 199, 76 N. Y. Supp. 922.
The character of negotiability having been voluntarily conferred ■on an instrument by the maker, it cannot be destroyed except by the act of a holder in limiting its payment, by proper insertion to himself or some other person. 3 E. C. L. p. 840, Bills & Notes, § 14; Man hattan Sav. Inst. v.’New York Nat. Exch. Bank, 170 N. Y.'58, 88 Am. St. Hep. 640, 62 N. E. 1079; Holliday State Bank v. Hoffman, Ann. Cas. 1912D, 11, note.
The verdict here should have been set aside and a new trial ordered, as a matter of sound discretion in the trial court. Meehan v. Great Northern B. Co. 13 N. .D. 432, 101 N. W. 183; Biehmire v. Andrews & G. Elevator Co. 11 .N. D. 453, 92 N. W. 819; Johns v. Buff, 12 N. D. 74, 95 N. W. 440; West v. Northern P. B. Co. 13 N. D. 221, 100 N. W. 254; Nelson v. Grondahl, 12 N. D. 130, 96 N. W. 299; ¿Etna Indemnity Co. v. Schroeder, 12 N. .D. 110, 95 N. W. 436.; Schumacher v. Great Northern B. Co. 23 N. D. 231, 136 N. W. 85.
J. A. Hyland and R. L. Frazer, for respondent.
In an action on a note the execution of which is disputed, it is' competent to offer evidence as to the financial dealings of the parties tQ show the probability or improbability of the execution of the note. 8 Cyc. 259; Nickerson v. Gould, 82 Me. 512, 20 Atl. 86; Gitchell v. Ryan, 24 Ill. App. 372; Bliss v. Johnson, 162 Mass. 323, 38 N: E. 446.
When .persons occupy a. relationship of trust and confidence, as here shown, the court will scrutinize their dealings very carefully. Ejone v. Fjone, 16 N. D. 100, 112 N. W. 71.
■. .The presumption is that material evidence withheld by the plaintiff would be against him. Tabor v. Fox, 56 Iowa, 539, 9 N. W. 897; Lauer v. Banning; 152 Iowa, 99, 131 N. W. 783; 16 Cyc. 1064; Dubois v. Baker; 30 N. Y. 355. ' !
Where execution is denied, the mere possession and holding of the note is not sufficient piioof of the due execution and delivery. Stoddard v. Lyon, 18 S. D. 207, 99 N. W. 1116.
Where- a piece of paper is signed- in blank, the party signing cannot be bound to an obligation written in thereafter’, unless it is clearly shown thát'he gave the person who wrote it authority to do so. Bichards v. Day, 137 N. Y. 183, 23 L.B.A. 601, 33 Am. St. Bep. 704, 33 N. E. 146; First Nat. Bank v.-Zeims, 93 Iowa, 140, 61 N. W. 483-
The foreign law will be presumed to be the common law in the absence of proof to the contrary, and the validity of the note is governed-by the common-law rules. Comp.-Laws 1913, § 7936, subsec41;.Hairson y. -Great Northern B, Co. 18- N-. D...824, -138 Am.-St.. Rep. 768, 121 N. W. 78; Pritchard v. Norton, 106 IJ. S. 124, 27 L. ed. 104, 1 Sup. Ct. Rep. 102; 8 Oye. 216..
A statute which, although expressed in terms of evidence, materially affects a contract in existence by taking away a vested right, is unconstitutional. 8 Oye. 218, 1015; Marsh v. Burroughs, 1 Woods, 463, Fed. Cas. No. 9,112; Hope Mut Ins. Co. v. Flynn, 38 Mo. 483, 90 Am. Dec. 438.
A non-negotiable note altered after execution so as to make .it negotiable is void even in the hands of a bona fide holder, unless consent to the alteration is clearly shown. Porter y. Hardy, 10 N, D. 551, 88 N. W. 458; Maguire v. Eiclnneier, 109 Iowa, 301, 80 N..W. 395; Robinson v. Reed, 46 Iowa, 219; Shroeder v. Webster, 88 Iowa, 627, 55 N. W. 569.
An ancillary, administrator has no authority to allow' and pay claims of residents of the state in which the principal administration was granted. Shegogg v. Perkins, 34 Ark. 117; Churchill v. Boyden, 17 Yt. 319; Hunt v. Fay, 7 Vt. 170; Aspden v. Nixon, 4 How. 467, 11 L. ed. 1059; Ponderson v. Avery, 1 Root, 103.
The allowance or rejection of a claim is binding upon the estate and claimant, although strictly speaking it is not a judgment. • La Porte v. Organ, 5 Ind. App. 369, 32 N. E. 342; Livermore v. Haven, 23 Pick. 116; 18 Cyc. 492; Floyd v. Clayton, 67 Ala. 265; Wernse v. McPike, 100 Mo. 476, 13 S. W. 809.
A complaint which alleges interest payable annually is not supported by offering in evidence a note providing for interest, but not payable annually. Yiets v. Silver’, 15 N. D. 51, 106 N. W. 35.

Opinion:
Goss, J.
This is an action against the administrator, Maurice Duffy, to recover of the estate of Mary Duffy $2,500 and.interest upon an alleged promissory note given by her to one Rev. Wm. H. Sheran, and purchased by plaintiff from Sheran after its maturity.
The answer denies the execution and delivery of the note, and alleges "that the said Sheran fraudulently executed said note in his favor, and that, if the signature of Mary Duffy is signed to said note, that the same was obtained by fraud, and not otherwise." The trial couil adjudged the note invalid because of forgery. Sufficiency of the evidence to sustain this finding is challenged. If there-is com petent evidence to sustain that finding the case is concluded against appellant.
The note was written upon a portion of a blank sheet of narrow white paper. It is almost square. The body of the note reads:
Plentywood, Montana.
Aug. 1st, 1909.
One year from date, for value received, I promise to pay the Rev. Wm. BE. Sheran or order the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500), with interest at the rate of seven per cent, before and after maturity.
Mary Duffy.
It is admitted that the entire note above the words, "Mary Duffy," is in the handwriting of Sheran. Also that the words, "Mary Duffy," are in her handwriting and are her genuine signature. There are two folds lengthwise across the paper and through the handwriting. The last word, "maturity," is written as the last line, and is crowded in above the first word of the signature, the upper part of the letter "M" of the word "Mary" of the signature crosses the word "maturity," and the word "seven" in the line immediately above the word "maturity." The signature is with a different and lighter ink than that in which the rest of the note is written. Across the back of the note also admittedly in the handwriting of Sheran appearing as an indorsement thereon are the words: "One year's extension granted. Due Aug. 1, 1911. To be paid at Farmers Bank, Garrison, N. Dak.," in apparently the same ink with which the body of the note is written. And underneath this indorsement is a second indorsement in different ink, but also in the handwriting of Sheran. "One year's interest due on this note August 1st, 1911," and underneath is still another indorsement, "Pay to the order of J. J". Behles, without recourse," in different handwriting, followed by the genuine signature and indorsement of "Rev. Wm. BE. Sheran."
Mary Duffy died in Iowa in 1911, at the home of her sister Mrs. Ella Fogarty. This note was presented for allowance November 29, 1911, to Maurice Duffy, the administrator for the estate in probate court in Livingston county, Illinois, by Sheran, as a claim against the estate of Mary Duffy. Its payment was refused by tbe administrator under the claim that tbe note was a forgery. That court set a date for bearing on tbe issue so joined, whereupon Sberan asked withdrawal of tbe claim without prejudice. This tbe administrator opposed, but withdrawal was allowed. Sberan then presented it as a claim against her estate, to defendant administrator in ancillary administration, in McLean county, North Dakota, where she owned land. Sheran does not testify. He has left this country and is in Oxford, England.
Mr. Marshall D. Ewell, author of Ewell's Medical Jurisprudence and an expert of National reputation in bandwriting and kindred subjects, after an examination of tbe note under a microscope, has testified that tbe body of tbe note was written after tbe words "Mary Duffy", bad been affixed to tbe paper upon which tbe note is written. He has detailed bis reasons, that where tbe words in tbe body of tbe note are written across tbe portion of tbe signature, tbe writing carries through that of tbe signature, showing that tbe signature was then dry and was made first, and these words of tbe body of the note written over it. An examination under the microscope verifies this statement, and tbe further one, that certain portions of tbe signature were written across a fold in tbe paper after tbe paper bad been folded, broadening tbe lines. Tbe position of tbe signature with reference to tbe rest of tbe note, and that tbe body of tbe note seems crowded in above it in economizing space, is also significant. Tbe paper appears to be a cut-off portion of tbe sheet of notepaper, as is evident from tbe margin in which an irregularity appears* caused by cutting with a sharp instrument from tbe balance of tbe sheet.
There is also in evidence tbe fact that about tbe time tbe note bears date Mary Duffy was not in need of money, but instead had means. Tbe plaintiff, a banker at -Garrison, North Dakota, testifies that "she bad notes with us for collection, and she bad drafts and cashier's checks against our bank, and at other times she bad money in and on time certificates, interest-bearing time certificates. She probably bad for six months or a year, but not all tbe time."
It is proved that Sberan was bard up financially during tbe period from April, 1909, until August 12, 1909, after tbe date of tbe note. In July, 1911, in Montana, Ella Eogarty found four or five of Sber an's own letters in his handwriting in a trunk belonging to Mary Duffy at her home. This was after her death. In a letter of April 24, 1909, Sheran states: "I am sorely in need of an immediate payment" of some money he claimed due. Again on May 30, 1909, he wrote Mary Duffy on a business deal, from Plentywood, Montana, stating, "I have only $250, and I am afraid it will not be enough." On Atigust 12, 1909, two weeks after the date of the note, he wrote to Mary Duffy:
I decided to make a call upon my brother with the view to secure from him part payment at least of the note I hold against him. It may be necessary to visit St. Paul and my old home at Waseca, in order to get the required funds to live up there and be in a position to improve my claim. My idea is to have enough in hand to get a team and a cow.
Hoping you will not grow discouraged or lonesome, I remain,
Sincerely,
Wm. H. Sheran.
The admissibility of these letters is objected to, and error is assigned on their reception in evidence. But they would have been admitted in a suit on the note by Sheran against Mary Duffy and under the same issues as a statement against interest, and tending to show his own statement as to his financial condition as a circumstance corroborative of the nonexceution of the note by Mary Duffy. As plaintiff is a purchaser after maturity, and his right to recover is subject to the same defenses, such evidence -is admissible in this suit. These letters establish that long prior to and after the date of this alleged note the payee therein was not, in' all probability, loaning money, nor in financial condition to have loaned $2,500 to Mary Duffy. For the same reasons the testimony is admissible of Ella Fogarty, that in April, 1911, three months prior to her death, Mary Duffy had in her possession a promissory note of Sheran to Mary Duffy for $100, drawn payable one year after date, and at that time past due, establishing that in 1910 or earlier Sheran was .owing Mary- Duffy $100. The sister had the note in her possession,- and discussed it with Mary Duffy. She showed witness "two or three other notes on other parties." She spoke to her sister about her (Mary's) business affairs. Witness had the Sheran note for $100 in her hands and read it. A month later, when "I asked her where that note (of Sberan's) was," she said, "I attended to that." She had previously said to her sister, "This, (Sheran's note) is past due. I don't suppose I will be able to collect it," and she offered it to me. I told her "I would have nothing to do with it," and handed it back to her, and I never saw it afterwards. .
These circumstances are strongly corroborative of the contention of the defendant that Mary Duffy had not executed and delivered her note for this large amount to Sheran. And Sheran's default in explanation, of the circumstances under which or the consideration for which the note was executed and delivered is a circumstance supporting a conclusion that Sheran's'testimony would be unfavorable to plaintiff's recovery. Plaintiff claims that upon the proof as made of the genuineness of the signature of Mary Duffy and the production of the note by plaintiff a prima facie ease was established, and that ho has made thereby prima facie proof of the execution and delivery of the note by Duffy to Sheran for a valuable consideration, and that such presumption continues, and that thereunder even though the body of the instrument was written by her upon the paper, yet it must be presumed that the instrument was complete when delivered. Plaintiff contends that it must be presumed that under the proof the note in its present form was delivered by Mary Duffy to Sheran, and that any alteration or additions were made and authorized by Mary Duffy before she delivered it, and that a delivery in its present form must be presumed in law.
There is no presumption of law as to whether the note was completed as written when delivered, or, on the contrary, altered or forged after completion and delivery. There is irreconcilable conflict in the authorities as to the extent of and application of presumptions involving alterations of the many classes of instruments. Under some authorities deeds, wills, and commercial paper each constitute different classes with different presumptions to be drawn as to each, from the fact of alteration proved or presumed from the face of the instrument. Jones on Evidence, § 564, at page 685. Concluding discussion of the various presumptions and inferences from the alterations of different instruments, announces a rule that seems sound when applied to the facts in the case at bar. That authority says:
"But whatever conflict of opinion there may be as to the legal presumptions to be raised, there seems to be quite general concurrence in the view that when suspicious circumstances, tending to discredit the document, appear either upon its face or from extrinsic facts, the burden of removing such suspicion is upon the party seeking to use the instrument. There is, however, an indefiniteness about the proper application of the word 'suspicious' as applied to the appearance of the document. In some cases the mere fact of the alteration is held to be suspicious. But this is not supported by any volume of authority. The weight seems to be with those which do not regard the appearance of a change suspicious per se.
Sec. 565. There is also general concurrence in the view that the question whether an alteration has been made is a matter to be determined by the jury. Where the instrument is submitted to them, either with or without explanation, the appearance of the document, the possible motive for or against the alteration, the advantage or disadvantage to the party claiming under the instrument which would be likely to follow from an alteration, are all circumstances from which the jury may determine the fact of alteration. And when the person by whom, the time when, or the intent with which, or the circumstances of, consent to an admitted alteration was made, is drawn into question, it is for the jury to say whether it was by a party to the instrument or by a stranger, whether before or after execution, and whether with an honest or a fraudulent purpose. In various jurisdictions, as we have shown, different presumptions exist as to these questions of fact, dependent upon the appearance of the instrument when offered in evidence. But in all of these jurisdictions such presumptions are disputable only, and the question is in the end one for the jury. While there are numerous cases in which it has been held that instruments in which the alteration was manifest from their face, as from difference in ink or handwriting, might be submitted to the jury without any explanation, yet it is clearly the safer and better practice for the person relying on such an instrument to give evidence explaining the same, if possible; and in many cases this has been held indispensable. When the maker testifies that an alteration has been made, it is clearly a question for the jury. When an alteration, after execution, is shown, it is incumbent on the person claiming under tbe instrument to prove consent."
Daniel on Negotiable Instruments, 6th ed. § 1421A, states the same rule in these words: "The question as to the burden of proof in respect to alterations is generally affected by all the surrounding circumstances; and one fact or another shifts it to and fro, the jury being left to weigh the testimony and determine the issue with all the lights that can be thrown upon it. Very slight circumstances may operate to shift the burden of' proof, and it has been well said by Horton, Ch. J., in Kansas, that 'it is impossible to fix a cast-iron rule to control in all cases.' When all the facts are undisputed some presumption must arise; and that presumption must be conformable to the experience of mankind, and according to what that experience shows to be most probably the truth of the matter. The authorities are every way; and generally each case must rest largely on its own peculiar surroundings."
There is evidence from which a jury might find the facts to be that the purported signature was upon a blank piece of paper, and that the body of the note was thereafter written above it. There is no proof that the instrument was ever presented for payment to the deceased, unless the indorsement placed upon the back of the instrument by the payee in his own handwriting, granting a year's extension, be taken as some evidence thereof, but this on the contrary could be taken as a suspicious circumstance as a secret indorsement made to apparently explain or furnish a reason for not enforcing payment; the existence of the $100 note on a year's time of Sheran to Mary Duffy and overdue and unpaid iu her possession in 1911 is a strong circumstance, as in the usual course of business it would have been surrendered and an indorsement for the amount made upon the larger obligation, the note in suit. The filing of the claim by Sheran and its subsequent withdrawal' after issue joined thereon as to its validity after a date set for its trial evidenced a desire to avoid investigation into it; this is strengthened by the assignment to plaintiff, a third person, to present anew in another jurisdiction. All these circumstances, taken in connection with the straightened financial circumstances of Sheran during the summer of 1911 as shown by his own written statements, are sufficient to justify an inference and support tbe finding as drawn by the trial court in passing upon the facts that the purported note is not, and never has been, the promissory note of Mary Duffy, and that the action thereon must fall. The judgment therefore is affirmed.