Court Opinion

ID: 5193273
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 15:39:29.239388+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:26:58.943231
License: Public Domain

Per Curiam :
This is an action brought by a domestic servant for $792, for wages from February 1, 1896, to September 1, 1901. She alleged *570that she had received but $24 during that ■ period. The plaintiff was uncorroborated. The defendant pleaded payment. He testified that the plaintiff made no claim when she left his service, but after an absence of three months- she wrote a letter inclosing her bill for services and demanding payment. The letter and bill were read in evidence, without objection. The letter ran : “ This is the answer to the letter you told your wife to write to me. Many thanks fore it and am very glad to know you think so well of me since I left your place. Now I - have seen a party about this bill . and they told me you would have to pay it, so I will give yo.u just one week to deside in what yon will do and if I don’t here from you in a week I shall know you don’t intend to pay me, then I shall get some one to collect it fore me.” The defendant then called upon the plaintiff to produce the letter referred to. This was done, and the defendant offered it in evidence. This was objected to and excluded under exception. The letter read as follows : “ Mrs. N. Thompson: It is the wish' of both Mr. Adams and myself that you keep away from our home as you set a very bad example for our daughter with your indecent actions. One would naturally think that now being married that you would have enough with one husband and stop running after a single man, which is not the actions of a lady. Mrs. O. E. Adams.” We think. that this letter should have been admitted. This is a claim for almost the entire total wages (which, presumably, were payable monthly) for. four years. The defendant testifies and the plaintiff admits that she said nothing about her claim when she left service until she wrote the letter in evidence. It is quite apparent that the writing is that of an angry woman, who specifically states that it is an- answer to a letter theretofore received by her. The letter rejected bore upon the motive and the good faith of the plaintiff and . the justice of her claim. •
The judgment and order should be reversed and a new trial be ordered, costs to abide the event..
Present — Goodrich, P. J., Bartlett, Woodward, Hirschbbrq- and Jerks, JJ. -
Judgment and order of the County Court of Westchester county reversed and new trial ordered, costs to abide the event.