Wilson

The complaint in this action shows that in October, 1890, the defendant was desirous of obtaining a certain letter said to have been written by Henry H. Markham, the alleged contents of which were in dispute.

That on or about the twenty-fourth day' of October, 1890, the defendant proclaimed and asserted that he was desirous of obtaining a genuine letter written by said Markham of the alleged character and contents, and that he would pay a reward of one thousand dollars for the production to him of such genuine letter containing the disputed matter.

“That, in consideration of said offer, promise, and agreement on the part of the defendant, this plaintiff did, on the twenty-ninth day of October, 1890, produce to, and left in the personal custody of, the defendant, for the period of twenty-four hours, the said genuine letter, so as aforesaid written by said H. H. Markham, and did then and there demand from the defendant the payment to him of said offered reward or compensation of one thousand dollars; but, notwithstanding such production and delivery of such genuine letter, defendant did then refuse, and ever since has and still does refuse, to pay to plaintiff said sum of one…