Counterclaim.

A counterclaim may be pleaded as a defense to any cause of action, notwithstanding it is barred by the provisions of this chapter , if it was the property of the party pleading it at the time it became barred, and was not barred at the time the claim sued on originated; but no judgment thereon, except for costs, can be rendered in favor of the party so pleading it. [R60, §2752; C73, §2540; C97, §3457; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, § 11019; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §614.12 ]