Meyers

In this action for slander brought by plaintiff against her father-in-law, the jury brought in a verdict in the sum of $25,000, which, upon the denial of a motion for new trial, was reduced by' the court below to $15,000, and judgment entered accordingly. The defendant Stephen M. Meyers appealed. Upon his subsequent death, the executors of his estate were substituted in his place and stead.

Examination of the record discloses that in the latter part of the year 1915 the plaintiff, then a girl of approximately twenty years of age, worked as a domestic in defendant’s household. Defendant’s family consisted of his wife, daughter and son, the latter being about seventeen years of age. While thus in the defendant’s employ, plaintiff studied at night and various other times to fit herself for a position in the business world. In April of 1916 she left the defendant’s employ, and secured such a position. Shortly thereafter, and, as she claims, upon the solicitation of the boy, plaintiff married the defendant’s son. There is no suggestion or intimation of prior improprieties between the young people, nor does the defendant raise or attempt to raise any question as to plaintiff’s…