The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-05-26
A CALIFORNIA ROMANCE.
Afcot-Pad Falls Heir TO a Grand Estats
In England

Afcot-Pad Falls Heir TO a Grand Esfats
In England
Woodland tcal.l Democrat.l
A few days ago a gentleman by the
nsme OF Rodery Eldridge arrived In
Woodland and took rooms at the Capital
Hotel. he stated that ne was an English
nan. and that his object in visiting
Odlfernia was to find a man by the
name of Agernon Branningsford, who had
ldt his home in England in the year
$50. Mr.. Eldredge, who is cousin of
the missing man, arrived in San Fran
cisco about one month ago. He hap
paed to stea-ipto the Capital Hotel
sdOon and oveBzaard the barkeeper,
Phsy Donnelly, incidentally mention
tlR lskae OF q Old Ag.u Mr.. Eldredge
tAiflsh5es tlaat possibly this was an elffp-
sisof the name of the man of whom he
was in search, made further inquiry
about him. Mr.. Donnelly informed
hin that "Old Ag" was sort of "dead
bea. whom he had known for years as
a tnmp, 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
saving wood for a gentleman near by,
and managed to spend his money for
drink about as fast as he earned 1t. 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 Old 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..
Elaredge-who, by the way, is an Eng
Iish gentleman of the strictes type
ventured the remark: Well Old Ag,
as they seem to call you here, allow me
to ointroducemyself as your cousin Rod
cry Eldredge. 1 have come 10 tell you
that your old father, Lord Branningsford,
Is dead, and that you are heir to four
fifths of his estate, which Is about
$4,000. OO0." To say that ''Old Ag," was
startled by the unexpected news would
notexpress one half, and the scene which
followed can be better imagined than
described.
Lord Branningsford, who was very
wealthy, had two sons, one named
Lionald and the other Agernon. In
IS47 Lionald was married to 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
Franciscan 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 a year and a 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 n penniless tramp in
this city is but the story of the many
--TasziFbsss gone that way About two
year8ago his brother died, and only five
months ago his father also died, leaving
him heir to -fifths 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 a yagabond.