Purves's Estate

Citations

• 196 Pa. 438
• 46 A. 369
• 1900 Pa. LEXIS 536

Syllabus

<p>Contract — Construction of contract — Uncertainty. '</p> <p>If the meaning of a contract and the subject to which it is to be applied are obscure, indefinite and doubtful, the contract will be held void for uncertainty.</p> <p>' A grandfather wrote to a grandson in Europe urging him to return home, as his services were needed in the grandfather’s business. The letter ended as follows: “ Attend to the business, and I will leave it to you as I promised you.” There was no evidence as to what the grandfather meant bj' the word “ business, ” nor was there any evidence as to the terms of the previous promise. It appeared that when the grandfather died the grandson did not assert title to the business, but continued in a salaried position in it at an increase of salary. Held, that the contract was void for uncertainty, and that the orphans’ court committed no error' in refusing to enforce it.</p>