The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-06-15
A California Romance.
Foot-Pad Falls Heir to a Great Estate In Eng
land

A few days ago a gentleman by the
name of Rodery Eldridge arrived in
Woodland and took rooms at the Capital
Hotel. He stated that he was an En-
glishman, and that his object in visiting
California was to find a man by the
name of Agernon Brahningsford. who
had left his home in England in the
year 1850. Mr.. Eldridge, who is cousin
of the missing man, arrived in San
Francisco about one month ago. Late
last evening he happened to step into
the Capital Hotel saloon and overheard
the barkeeper, Patsey Donnelly, incident
ally mention the name of ''Old Ag." Mr..
Eldridge, thinking that possibly this
was an ellipsis of the name of the man
for whom he was in search, made fur
ther inquiry about him. Mr.. Donnelly
informed him that "Old Ag' was sort
of dead beat" whom he had known
for years as tramp, and supposed that
every saloon-keeper in the land was IA
miliar with him, but he knew nothing
of his history. At present he was en-
gagged in saving wood for a Q .ntleman
near by, and managed to spend his
money as fast as he earned it. Mr.. Ell
bridge, having been directed, sought
out the man in question, whom hefound
engaged in that healthfui occupation,
and at once recognized him as MIN
of English birth, which greatly increas
ed his hope of success. After series
of questions were answered by "Old Ag,"
it became very apparent to Mr.. Eldridge
that he was the same person that he
was looking for, Notwithstanding his
forlorn and dilapidated appearance
Finally Mr.. Eldridge-who, by the way,
is an English gentleman Of the strictest
type-ventured the remark: ''Well,
old Ag,' as they seem to call you here,
allow me to introduce myself as your
cousin, Rodery Eldridge. have come
to 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, ,000." To say that ''Old
Ag," was startled by the unexpected
news would not express one-half, and
the scene which followed can be better
imagined than described.
Lord Branningsford, who was very
wealthy, had two sons, one named Lion
aid and the other Agernon. In 1847
Lionald was married to a young lady of
high birth bv the name of Elizabeth
Stratton. Agernon was frequent visit
or at the family residence, and, owing
to quarrel between the two brothers
over the young wife, Agernon embarked
for America. and arrived in San Fran
cisco in the Fall of 1850 According to
his own story, he first engaged as book
keeper ia the wholesale house of A. p
Hotaling, in which position he remain
ed for year and half, when defal-
cation in his accounts caused his dis
charge. He then went to mining, and
his history from that epoch down to the
time when he was found a penniless
tramp in this city is but the story of the
many who have gone the same way
About two years ago his brother died,
and only five months ~es~ hie 1~.L-- L.
,s.Uu, no;.,I.Ig him he'll " four-tIfths OF
the immense 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 COM
ing to San Francisco he found the living
heir a vagabond.- Woodland, (Cat.)
Democrat.