Frank

Appeal from the order denying plaintiff a new trial. Plaintiff sued defendant, administrator of the estate of Joseph Spanier, deceased, to recover certain sums of money which he alleges were deposited by himself and by his assignors with Spanier upon the latter’s promise to repay upon demand.

The defendant made denial, and upon the trial was allowed to introduce evidence showing that the debts were gambling debts, for moneys lost to plaintiff and his assignors at the game of polcer.

The court found in accordance with the evidence introduced by the defense and rendered judgment accordingly.

It was permissible to introduce evidence of the nature of the transaction between the parties under the general issue. Plaintiff averred and defendant denied that money had been deposited with or lent to Spanier under his promise to repay. In showing that no money was in fact deposited it was competent to prove that the claim was for a gaming debt.

Spanier conducted a cigar stoie, in the rooms at the rear of which games of poker were played. His former clerk was allowed to testify that he kept Spanier’s books; that one of them was called the poker book, and contained statements of Spanier’s…