Court Opinion

ID: 6739969
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:21:09.520129+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:55.754348
License: Public Domain

Bronson, J.
(specially concurring). I concur in an affirmance. The complaint seeks to recover $294.29 for work performed in 1918 and 1919, $50 for flax as a part of the consideration for plaintiff’s work, *133and two minor items of $5.15, moneys advanced, and of $5 for a load of straw. Tbe total demand was $354.44. In tbe first trial tbe jury on February, 1921, returned a verdict of $300 with interest. Tbe judgment entered thereupon was vacated and a new trial awarded by tbe trial court. In tbe second trial, the jury, on November 29th, 1921, again awarded a verdict of $300 with interest. Tbe defendant has appealed from tbe judgment entered thereupon and from an order denying judgment non obstante, or, in tbe alternative, for a new trial. Defendant specifies insufficiency of tbe evidence to warrant tbe verdict of tbe jury. Defendant contends that, as a matter of law, tbe evidence discloses that plaintiff only worked for defendant fifteen months and ten days, instead of eighteen months and nineteen days as claimed by plaintiff; that defendant became indebted to plaintiff only in the sum of $806, which amount, through settlement had with plaintiff, defendant paid.
Although tbe evidence concerning plaintiff’s demand is neither clear nor convincing and is, in many respects, conflicting, nevertheless, upon a review of the record, I am of the opinion that sufficient evidence was presented to warrant the submission of plaintiff’s demands to the jury. Plaintiff testified that, in tbe fall of 1919 after his employment ceased, tbe defendant admitted that he owed plaintiff the sum of $300. Defendant’s testimony is to tbe effect that plaintiff worked only fifteen months and ten days; that he owed plaintiff therefor $806; that he paid plaintiff $809.65; that he had settlement with plaintiff and plaintiff repaid and refunded to him this amount of $3.65. Plaintiff’s testimony is to the effect that he worked for defendant eighteen months and nineteen days; that he had due him for part of his work 12% bushels of flax; that he advanced some moneys to plaintiff and furnished straw for which defendant had not compensated him; that defendant had included in the payment, which defendant claimed to have made for his services, $150 which was otherwise due plaintiff for work in 1911. The difference between the period of plaintiff’s services in 1918 and 1919 and the amount paid thereon, as claimed by defendant, and the time and amount as claimed by plaintiff, approximates the sum of $300 which plaintiff testifies that defendant admitted to be owing in the fall of 1919. Apparently, the jury, in both cases, gave credence to plaintiff’s story and awarded, in each verdict, the exact sum of $300. The *134rule is applicable that this court will not disturb the verdict, through the weighing of conflicting testimony, if there be substantial evidence in its support. Montana Eastern R. Co. v. Lebeck, 32 N. D. 162, 155 N. W. 648; Rickel v. Sherman, 34 N. D. 298, 158 N. W. 266; Senn v. Steffan, 37 N. D. 491, 164 N. W. 102.
Guace, J., concurs.