55 Neb. 652 | Neb. | 1898
This was an action by tbe plaintiff in error against tbe defendant in error on a promissory note for $45. The
The plaintiff contends, and correctly, as held by several decisions of this court, that a change made in a written instrument by a stranger is a mere spoliation, and that a recovery can still be had according to its original terms. It is next argued, and here there is room for doubt, that an agent to sell, receive notes in payment, and transmit them to his principal, is, for the purposes of the rule stated, a stranger, unless he had authority to make the alteration or his act in so doing has been ratified. We need not decide that question, because it was shown clearly that the alteration had been made and the petition was upon the note as altered. The denial put the execution of such a note in issue, and the proof sustained the denial. The amount of the note is descriptive thereof, and under a description of a note for $45 recovery could not be had on one for $25. If the plaintiff desired to recover upon the. note as made he should have so described it.
Five days after the trial application was made for leave to amend by alleging the note as made. The application was denied and that ruling is assigned as error. Leave to amend was properly refused. The evidence shows that the note was sent to a local bank for collection. It Avas returned and bears upon its back the words: “Says this amt. is incorrect.” Defendant also wrote plaintiff as follows: “I have the money that I owe you, but I will not pay that $45 note for I never gave it. P. S. Send this note that I gave you to Valparaiso Bank and I will cash it, at once.” The plaintiff asserts that this was a mere
AFFIRMED.