The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-07-14
A CALIFORNIA ROMANCE.
A F0ot-Pad Falls Heir 20 q Grand Estate
In England.
Woodland (Cal.) Democrat.

Woodland (Cal.) Democrat
A few days ago gentleman by the
name of ROBBERY Eldridge arrived in
| Woodland and took rooms at the Capital
Hotel. He stated that he was an English
man, and that his object in visiting
California was to find a man by the
name of Agernon Branningsford, who had
left his home in England In the year
1850. Mr.. Eldredge, who is cousin of
the missing man, arrived in San Fran
| cisco about one month ago. He hap
pened to step into the Capital Hotel
saloon and overheard the barkeeper,
Patsy Donnelly, incidentally mention
the name of "Old Ag." Mr.. Eldredge
thinking that possibly this was an clip
sis of the name of the man of whom he
was in search, made further inquiry
about him. Mr.. Donnelly informed
him that sold Ag" was sort of "dead
beat, " whom he had known for years as
tramp, and supposed that every saloon
keeper in the land was equally familiar
with him, but he knew nothing of his
history. At present he was engaged in
sawing wood for gentleman near by,
and managed to spend his money for
drink about as fast as he earned it. Mr..
Eldredge, having been directed, then
sought out the man in question, whom
he found in that healthful occupation,
and at once recognized him as a man Of
English birth, which greatly increased
his hopes of success. After serios of
questions were answered by sold Ag,
it became very apparent to Mr.. Eldredge
that he was the same person he was look
ing for, Notwithstanding his forlorn and
dilapidated appearance. Finally Mr..
Eldredge-who, by the way, is an Eng
lish gentleman of the strictes type
ventured the remark: "Well odd Ag,
as they seem to call you here, allow me
to introduce myself as your cousin Rod
cry Eldredge. I have come to tell you
that your old father, Lord BranningsfOrd,
is dead, and that you are heir to four
ffths of his estate, which is about
50, 900, 000." To say that "Old Ag," was
startled by the unexpected news would
not express ore half, and the scene which
followed can be better imagined than
described.
Lord Branningsford, who was very
WOh1bA1Jy Ahu bWO SOuS, Ou0 uduQ0Q
Lionald and the other Agernon. In
1847 Lionald was married to a young
lady of high birth by the name of Eliza
beth Stratton. Agernon was frequent
visitor at the family residence, and ow-
ing to quarrel between the two broth
ers over the young wife Agernon en-
barked for America, and arrived in San
Francisco in the fall of 1850. According
to his own story, he first engaged as
bookkeeper in the wholesale house of
A. P. Hotaling, in which position he
remained for year and half, when a
defalcation in his accounts caused his
discharge. he then went to mining, and
his history from that epoch down to the
time he was found penniless tramp in
this city is but the story of the many
who have gone that way. About two
years ago his brother died, and only five
months ago his father also died, leaving
him heir to four-ffths of his estate, one
fifth going to the cousin, who was made
the residuary legatee if he could prove
Agernon's death. This he set out to do,
but coming to San Francisco he found
the living heir vagabond.