Gray

Plaintiff, as trustee in bankruptcy, brought this action to recover certain personal property, claiming that it belonged to the bankrupt’s estate, also to require an accounting, and for damages for alleged conversion. Judgment was given for defendants. Plaintiff appealed.

For several years prior to 1916 respondent B. Perlis was engaged in business on Sutter Street, in San Francisco, as a ladies’ tailor, employing some ten persons. In September of that year said business failed and Perlis made an assignment for the benefit of creditors to the board of trade, but was not released by said creditors from payment of his debts. On account of worry caused by the collapse of his business, Perlis became sick and unable to earn a livelihood for himself or his family, and the burden of supporting the family then fell upon Mrs. Perlis. In order to meet this situation, Mrs. Perlis, in October, 1916, applied for and obtained from the superior court a decree of sole tradership and thereupon opened and afterward conducted under her name and management a ladies’ tailoring business in premises on Geary Street leased by her for that purpose. The negotiations for the opening of said business were…