Boardman

This is an action 'by an attorney at law to recover compensation for services alleged to have been rendered by him under a contract with the defendant Estelle C. Christin, whose husband, C. A. Christin, is made a party defendant solely because, as the law stood when the action was commenced, the husband was required to be joined with the wife. Judgment passed for plaintiff and defendants appeal. The grounds of the appeal are that Mrs. Christin’s promise to pay plaintiff is not supported by any consideration, and that plaintiff failed to perform the obligation of his contract.

The facts in brief are these: Mrs. Christin, née Estelle C. Porter, is the sister of Benjamin F. Porter, of whose estate plaintiff was the guardian when Mrs. Christin executed the contract in question. Plaintiff’s appointment was made some time prior to February 16, 1912, and he continued to be such guardian until the ward attained his majority on September 24, 1916. Mrs. Christin and her brother each own a parcel of land in the Rancho ex-Mission de San Fernando in Los Angeles County. The two parcels adjoin each other and each is contiguous to the right of way of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. On…