306

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

166. When a declaration in any action shall
be filed in Court, and a copy thereof delivered
to the defendant before the day of the return
of the writ, and the defendant shall be sum-

When to plead.

moned before the said day of the return of the
writ, he shall plead before the next succeeding
return day, or judgment by default for want of
a plea shall be entered by the Court or Clerk
thereof, upon motion in writing made by the
plaintiff, ,or his attorney, then, or at any time
thereafter before the filing of a plea by the
defendant, unless the Court, for good reason,
shall have granted said defendant further time
to plead, and upon such entry of judgment
the plaintiff may forthwith sue out his writ of
inquiry, or otherwise enter up final judgment
according to the course of the Court.

167. When any action shall be brought upon
a titling and the defendant shall have been
summoned, the plaintiff shall file his declara-
tion within fifteen days after the return day
to which said defendant has been summoned,

When to file
name.

or judgment of non pros, may be entered by
the Court or the Clerk thereof against him for
want of a declaration, upon motion in writing
made by the defendant at any time thereafter,
unless the Court for good cause shown shall
grant further time; but if the plaintiff shall
have filed his declaration in any such action, at

When to plead.

any time before the entry of a judgment of
nonpros, against him, the defendant shall be
required to plead to such declaration within
the time and upon the terms prescribed by the
rules of the Court, or judgment by default
may be entered against him as provided by
said rules.

168. Every suit in which any defendant shall
be returned summoned, shall stand for trial or

To stand for
hearing, when.

judgment (as against such defendant) at the
return day next succeeding the day to which he
has been summoned; provided, the declara-
tion shall have been filed in Court, and a copy
thereof shall have been served on the def en-