Court Opinion

ID: 6739016
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:20:36.101359+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:53.848494
License: Public Domain

Christianson, Oh. J.
(concurring specially). I agree with Judge Robinson that the trial court erred in dismissing this action. The complaint alleged: “That on and between the 16th day of June, 1916, and the 15th day of May, 1917, it (plaintiff) sold and delivered to defendant a large amount of goods, wares, and merchandise, consisting of furniture and accessories, upon which there was a balance due on January 1, 1918, of $566.95; that the said sum, although duly demanded, has not been paid, nor has any part thereof.” The answer, among other things, averred: “Defendant admits the purchase of certain articles from the plaintiff, but denies that the amount due and owing the plaintiff is the amount stated in the complaint.” Clearly this paragraph of the answer was a negative pregnant and did not raise an issue as to the amount due the plaintiff from the defendant. 31 Cyc. 204, 225; Pom. Code Rem. 3d ed. §§ 618-621. In view of the pleadings, the question of variance between plaintiff’s pleading and proof did not really exist. Por there was in fact no denial that there was a balance due the plaintiff of $566.95 upon the furniture, except in so far as such indebtedness might be deemed denied by the averments of the counterclaims. But the burden of proving the affirmative matters set forth by way of counterclaim was upon the defendant. Hence, it was error to dismiss the action on the ground that plaintiff had failed to establish the cause of action set forth in the complaint.
*49I do not, however, agree with Judge Eobinson that there may be a recovery upon an express contract under an allegation of implied contract. The contrary rule has been announced by the decisions of this court (Lowe v. Jensen, 22 N. D. 148, 132 N. W. 661; Yancey v. Boyce, 28 N. D. 187, 148 N. W. 539, Ann. Oas. 1916E, 258), and has the support of the great weight of authority (9 Cyc. 749; Pom. Code Rem. 4th ed. § 438).
Birdzell, J., concurs.