21 Ind. App. 227 | Ind. Ct. App. | 1898
Appellee began this action against appellant. The first paragraph of complaint, is based upon a promissory note executed by appellant to her, and which he alleged had been lost or mislaid and was at the time of the commencement of the action due and unpaid. In another paragraph of complaint appellee avers that appellant is further indebted to her for services rendered to said appellant, which
Appellant’s counsel contend that the court erred in giving to the jury instruction numbered five, which was as follows: “In the fourth paragraph of the answer, defendant says the partils were father and child and lived together and performed the services as members of the same family, and under such circumstances that the law will not allow a recovery. The court instructs you that when near relatives, by blood or marriage, reside together as one common family, the one furnishing the board, lodging, clothing or other nécessaries or comforts of life, and the other in return renders services, a presumption arises that neither party intended to receive or to pay a compensation for the board or other necessaries or comforts furnished on the one hand, or services rendered on the other, that they were intended as mutual acts of kindness furnished and done gratuitously, and that this presumption may arise between father
Counsel vigorously assail this instruction, but we think without good reason. The law as announced therein has been often declared by the courts of this State. In the case of Hill v. Hill, 121 Ind. 255, what is termed by the court as the “true rule” is announced in practically the same words as are used in the instruction complained of. It was also held by this court in the case of McCormick v. McCormick, 1 Ind. App. 594, that when a child, after reaching majority, resides with the parent as a member of the family, and rendering services for the parent, the law will not imply an obligation to pay for such services; on the contrary the presumption is that no compensation as wages is intended. But an express contract to pay will render the parent liable, and an obligation to pay a reasonable compensation may be inferred from circumstances shown which tend to rebut the presumption which arises from such a relation. To the same effect see Puterbaugh v. Puterbaugh, 7 Ind. App. 280; Fuller v. Fuller’s Estate, ante, 42; James v. Gillen, 3 Ind. App. 472; Hilbirt v. Hilbirt, 71 Ind. 27;
Appellant, before the commencement of the argument to the j ury, requested the court to give all of its instructions in writing. It is contended that the court failed to do this. It appears from the record that the court before beginning to read his instructions said to the* jury: “ ‘That you may have the issues fresh in your recollection before giving its charge, the court will read the pleadings in the case.’ The court then read the pleadings to the jury and orally stated which paragraph or paragraphs of the complaint or answer, the answer and reply were intended to meet.” We also -find from the record that appellant had prepared one instruction which he had submitted to the court and asked that it be given to the jury. Before reading said instruction the court read from his written charge the following: “The court, at the request of the defendant, gives you the following charge for your guidance.” Having finished reading the charge so asked by appellant, the court orally said to the jury: “This is the end of the charge asked by the defendant.” It- also appears that before reading instruction numbered six of the written instructions given by the court, he read from his written charge these words: “The plaintiff requests the court to give in this connection, the following instruction, which it does.” Having finished reading the instruction the court said to the jury orally: “This is the end of the instruction asked by the plaintiff.”
The Supreme Court of this State have recognized the right of parties to an action to have the instruc
What the court said orally in delivering his written instructions to the jury in this cause was not an instruction within the meaning of our statute. There was no attempt to inform the jury as to the merits of the cause, or to announce any principle of law applicable to the evidence or otherwise, and no attempt to prejudice the jury for or against appellant. The words spoken orally by the court were unnecessary and uncalled for, but harmless, and hence is not re: versible error. Herron v. State, 17 Ind. App. 161; Lehman v. Hawks, 121 Ind. 541; Dodd, v. Moore, 91 Ind. 522. We find no reversible error in the record. Judgment affirmed.