Hughes v. Antill , 23 Pa. Super. 290 ( 1903 )

Opinion by

Smith, J.,

The errors alleged in the specifications relating to the form of notice are not properly assigned. Furthermore the form of notice given in this case is not set forth in connection with any specification, hence we cannot determine the question of its conformity with the equity rules. But aside from this, they are without merit. The copy of the bill, with the indorsement of notice to appear, provided by the equity rules, is a substitute for the subpoena issued under the earlier practice. In character, purpose and effect, it does not differ from a summons at law. It is the mandate to the defendant to appear. If he deems the form or service defective, he should make objection in proper form instead of appearing. If he appears to the action without objection, it is a waiver of such defects, as fully as an appearance in an action at law is a waiver of defects in the form or service of the summons. A defendant cannot be allowed to play fast and loose with the process of the court; he cannot appear in obedience to it, and take the chances of success on trial, and on failure be heard to allege that he was not legally required to appear. In the present case, an appearance for the defendants was regularly entered on praecipe of their solicitor; they asked and obtained an extension of time for answering; their answer was filed; they ruled the plaintiffs to reply; and on trial they offered evidence on the matters at issue. In one paragraph of the answer, they aver that the notice indorsed on the bill is not in conformity with the equity rule respecting it, but the record discloses no motion based on this defect. In Cassidy v. Knapp, 167 Pa. 305, where the like defect appeared, the first step on the part of the defendant was a motion to dismiss the bill by reason of the defect, and for a denial of this motion the decree was reversed. In Cooke v. Tel. Co., 21 Pa. Superior Ct. 43, while a similar defect was, with others, considered by this court, the decree was reversed and the bill dismissed on the merits. But the action of the defendant in that case was a waiver of this defect, and he was in court, without qualification, and could not have been heard to allege that the notice to appear was defective and need not have been regarded: Ins. Co. v. Storrs, 97 Pa. 354; Jeannette Borough v. Roehme, 9 Pa. Superior Ct. 33.

It was not necessary for the agent to have written authority from the principal to contract for the option shown in the present case: Corson v. Mulvany, 49 Pa. 88; Smith’s Appeal, 69 Pa. 474; Yerkes v. Richards, 153 Pa. 646. The contract was not designed to vest in the principal any estate in the land, and would have vested none had the agent’s authority been in writing, or had the contract been signed by the principal in person. The principal’s signature would have added nothing to tlie appellant’s rights under the contract as executed. The appellant’s contention as to lack of mutuality, and the principal’s right to repudiate the contract because the agent’s authority was in parol, are without foundation. There was nothing for the bargainor to enforce, and nothing for the bargainee to repudiate. The former could not compel acceptance of the land, and the latter could not obtain it without paying the price. The only mutuality contemplated was the right of the one party to call for the purchase money when the other called for a conveyance. These rights are given by the contract, and were all that the parties had in view when contracting.

Neither the contract nor the assignment belonged to the class of instruments which, by the act of congress of June IB, 1898, required an internal revenue stamp. Such stamps were necessary only on instruments conveying an interest or title, while in the present case the contract vested and the assignment transferred no present interest or title, but merely a conditional right to demand a conveyance within the time limited.

The allegation of fraud on the part of the agent, in obtaining the option, is not sustained by the evidence. There is nothing to show in what manner the defendants were defrauded, or that any undue advantage was taken of them in fixing the terms of the contract. The identity or residence of the person named as bargainee is not material. It does not appear that the bargainor made any stipulation on these points, and by the terms of the contract the option was assignable to any person, irrespective of the bargainor’s assent. Nor is it material by whom the agent was employed, or through what medium the contract, after its execution, reached the hands of the plaintiffs. The only person in whom the contract vested any rights was the bargainee therein named. These rights have passed by assignment to the plaintiffs, and are not affected by any relations between the agent and other persons.

The contract was executed in duplicate, except as to a variance in the description of the subject-matter, which appears to have arisen from inadvertence and was fully explained on the trial. The decree follows the description contended for by the appellant, and admitted by the plaintiffs to be in accordance with the oral agreement on which the option was based. Doubtless the proceeding would have been more regular had the plaintiffs moved to amend the bill in conformity with this description, and as such amendment might properly have' been made below, we may treat the bill as thus amended here.

Though the appellant’s wife, not having acknowledged the contract, cannot be required to convey her interest, this does not relieve her husband from the obligation of conveying his own interest, the plaintiffs being willing to accept it in satisfaction of the contract. They may waive full performance, and accept such title as the husband can give : Burk’s Appeal, 75 Pa. 141; Harrigan v. McAleese, 1 Mona. 450 (16 Atl. Repr. 31).

A vendee, before suing for specific performance on his equitable title, either at law or in equity, must tender the purchase money in accordance with the contract. In ejectment, he must also bring the money into court, that upon a verdict in his-favor the vendor may receive payment. He cannot have a verdict conditioned on subsequent payment: Dwyer v. Wright, 162 Pa. 405; Bell v. Clark, 111 Pa. 92. The effect of a verdict is to give him the land unconditionally, and to secure the purchase money to the vendor it must be within the grasp of the court. In equity, however, the court may secure the rights of both parties, by requiring the execution of a deed by the vendor, and payment by the vendee on receiving it; and this is the usual practice. Hence it is unnecessary for the vendee to have the money in court at the trial, and the plaintiffs here were not required to keep up the tender to entitle them to a decree of specific performance.

The trial judge has found, as a fact, that the purchase money was tendered to the vendors in conformity with the contract, and his finding is sustained by the evidence. This disposes of the appellant’s claim to interest on the purchase money from the date of the tender. Interest is exacted as the penalty of default, and here the plaintiffs were in no default. On the contrary, the default has been on the part of the defendants. Instead of being entitled to interest, their default left them, at the time of bringing suit, without a right to demand even the principal, and this can now be claimed only on tender of a deed in conformity with the decree.

Decree affirmed.