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1 Minor 21

Mullins v. Cabiness

Supreme Court of Alabama

Decided November 15, 1820

Supreme Court of Alabama · decided 1820-11-15

Appeal. JAMES MULLINS declared in covenant ágainst Charles Cabiness, that by deed of said parties, dated 28th day of Marth-1817, plaintiff agreed to live with defendant in the capacity of an overseer for the term of 12 months (“ meaning for the year 1817”) to manage’ defendant’s business to the best of his skill, and to furnish one horse, &c. for which services the said defendant bound himself to pay plaintiff $212 on the first day of January 1818 — averred that “ in “all…

Decided 1820-11-15

• Judge Sajfold

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court.

¶2As to the first assignment — The plaintiff acquiesced in the opinion of the Court, on the demurrer to his first declaration, and asked and obtained leave to amend. This judgment therefore was not final, and-is not in our opinion subject to revision here.

¶3As to the second assignment — It is contended by the ap-pellee that the term of service commenced from .the date of the articles, in which no time is mentioned for beginning the services, and which cannot be explained by parol evidence. But the appellee agreed to pay the money on the ■first day of January 1818, some timé before the expiration of 12 months from the date of the. articles of agreement. .If the term of service was as the counsel for the appellee contends, the averment of performance in, the declaration was unnecessary and mere surplusage, (2 John. 272, 387. 10 John. 204.) If the term was as is contended by appellant, there is a sufficient averment of performance of the covenants on his part. But we' consider the covenants as independent. The second demurrer ought to have been overruled.- The judgment must be reversed; and as the written *23articles ascertain the sum due, judgment must be render-' ed here for that sum and interest. Laws Alaba. 465, sect. 3.

Judges Clay and- Webb not sitting..
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