¶1This is an application for a mandamus. On the 8th day of May at two o’clock p. m., a-paper purporting to be a declaration, was served upon the relator as commencement of suit under the statute. No declaration was filed or rule to plead entered in the office of the clerk of the circuit court until nine o’clock p. m. of the same day.
¶2The service of a copy of a declaration as commencement of suit, before a rule to plead was entered, was clearly unauthorized. The question, however, arises whether this case does not come within the rule that courts will not inquire *99into fractions of a day, and we are of opinion that it does. It may sometimes happen that where the declaration has been properly hied and rule to plead entered, yet owing to variation in time as kept, by different individuals, and the short intervening tim,e between the entry of the rule and service upon the defendant, disputes may arise as to which, in point of fact, was first in order. We are of opinion, therefore, that where the defendant has not been misled by reason of non-entry of the rule to plead, he has no just cause of complaint, and that it would prove seriously embarrassing to have the question1 raised where the time between the service and entry of the rule would be so insignificant as to injure or mislead no one. Had the defendant in this case, after service upon him, made an examination in the clerk’s office, and ascertained that no rule to plead had been entered, and relied thereon, he might, should any farther steps be taken against him, then be entitled to relief. Upon such a state of facts we express no opinion.
¶3We think the writ should be denied.
¶4I think there can be no case in court until tlie declaration is filed, and that notice of a filing and rule to plead which have no existence is invalid.