30 Misc. 813 | City of New York Municipal Court | 1899
The complaint alleges that the defendants on December 8, 1892, made a certain indemnity bond to the plaintiff, as follows: “ Whereas, Mrs. Bernard Beere claims that she may be or become liable to Charles Wyndham in the sum of $25 a performance for fifty (50) performances of the play entitled ‘ The Fringe of Society,’ to be given in a tour in America during the season of 1892 and 1893, on a paper writing of which the annexed is a copy. And Whereas, as a condition for the cancellation of an agreement between Marcus R. Mayer and the said Mrs. Beere, she requires that she be indemnified and held harmless against and from the payment of the said amount due or any other amount which may become due to the said Charles Wyndham thereunder. Now, in consideration of the premises and of the sum of $1, to us in hand paid by the said Mrs. Bernard Beere, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, we do hereby jointly and severally promise and agree to and with the said Mrs. Bernard Beere, that we will and hereby do indemnify and hold her harmless against and from the payment of any sum of money to the said Charles Wyndham, under or by reason of said contract.” The annexed paper writing is as follows: “ Charles Wyndham: I agree to take the Fringe of Society for a tour in America this year of 1892 and 1893. I will pay three per cent. (3#) of gross receipts for each performance — weekly settlement. I guarantee you at least fifty performances during said tour, or failing that number will pay you 3# of gross receipts for such performances as take place, and for the balance at the rate of twenty-five, dollars
The complaint further alleges that on December 7, 1894, the plaintiff paid to said Wyndham the sum of £250, equal to $1,250; that she demanded it from the defendants, and that they refused to pay, and she now seeks to recover the sum of $1,250 from the defendants by virtue of the indemnity bond. The answer sets up among other defenses, “ that the plaintiff made the payment of the $1,250 to Wyndham, without any legal liability existing therefor on her part.”
At the trial the plaintiff proved that the defendant, Marcus R. Mayer, had employed her as an actress by a written contract as follows: “Agreement between plaintiff and defendant, Marcus R. Mayer, dated August 8, 1891, whereby said defendant en-. gaged the plaintiff for a tour in America and Ganada during "the season of 1892 and 1893 to commence on November 14, 18'92, said tour to be for not less than twenty weeks, upon the following terms; in New York 25# of the gross receipts each week guaranteed to be not less than 160 pounds per week. In all other cities 25# of the gross receipts each week if they shall not exceed 1,200 pounds and 30# of the gross receipts per week if they exceed said last named sum, in addition to 25# up to 1,200 pounds guaranteed to be not less than 160 pounds. The defendant, Mayer, to engage a first class company and to pay transportation of same and to furnish all scenery and advertising of every kind and also to pay for first class transportation of plaintiff and her secretary and maid and to provide plaintiff with a drawing room in a Pullman car and sleeping car for the three and to pay plaintiff 120 Pounds for traveling expenses for the three. Plaintiff agrees to furnish all plays in which she may perform and to pay all royalties (except as hereafter provided) and furnish all her costumes. Plays to include 1 Ariadne,’ ‘ Masks and Faces ’ and ‘ As in a Looking Glass.’ On all plays other than those mentioned, the said defendant to pay two per cent. (2#) towards the royalty paid by her. Her name to appear at head of all advertisments, placards and play bills, &c., in type larger by half than any other name. She not to play during her contract in public without' the defendant’s consent. He not to assign agreement, but may associate others with him. He to deposit 1,000 Pounds and she 500 Pounds as a guarantee of performance by both and for a failure tó perform the contract by either the sum deposited to be forfeited to the other.” That pur-'
An agreement will be construed according to the intention of the parties. Hutchinson v. Root, 2 App. Div. 584. In this there is no proof whatsoever, in the whole case, that there was any contract, written or verbal, entered into between Wyndham and plaintiff, Mrs. Beere, in regard to the subject mentioned in the paper writing annexed to the indemnity bond under which she was liable. The paper writing annexed to the indemnity bond does not constitute a contract in writing. It is not signed by any party. There is no verbal contract proved whatsoever. What right, then, did the plaintiff have to pay the 250 pounds to Wyndham? She was under no legal obligation whatsoever to him. That being so, and the defendants having indemnified her simply against the existence of a valid contract to said effect, the defendants are not liable on that bond. Any one, who is under no legal obligation or liability to pay a debt, is a stranger, and, if he pays the debt, is a mere volunteer. Aetna Life Ins. Co. v. Middleport, 124 U. S. 534. The cases of Bridgeport Ins. Co. v. Wilson, 34
Judgment and order appealed from reversed and a new- trial granted, with costs and disbursements to appellants to abide the event.
Fitzsimons, Ch. J., and O’Dwyer, J., concur.
Judgment a.nd order reversed and new trial granted, with costs to appellants to abide event.