Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-07-03
A UALIF0RSIA R0mANCE.
A FOOt.Pad Falls Heir TO q
Grand Estate In England.
Woodland Call Democrat.


A few days ago gentleman by the
name of ROBBERY Eldredge arrived in
Woodland and took rooms at the
Capital Hotel. He stated that he was
an Englishman, and that his object in
visiting California was to find a man
by the name of Algernon Brannings-
ford, who had left his home in England
in the year 1850. Mr.. Eldredge, who
is cousin of the missing man, arrived
in San Francisco about one month ago.
He happened to step into the Capital
Hotel saloon and overheard the bar
keeper, Patsy Donnelly, incidentally
mention the name of "Old Az" Mr..
Eldredge thinking that possibly this
was an ellipsis of the name Of the man
Of whom he was in search, made
further inquiry about him. Mr.. Dom
nelly informed him that "Old Ag"
was sort of dead beat" whom he
had known for years as a tramp, aud
supposed that every saloon-keeper in
the land was equally familiar with him,
but he knew nothing of his his.
tory. At present he was engaged in
saving wood for a gentleman near by,
aud managed to spend his money fer
drink 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 in
creased his hopes Of success. After a
series of questions were answered by
"Old Ag, it became very apparent to
Mr.. Eldredge that he was the same
person he was looking for, notwith-
standing his forlorn and dilapidated
appearance. Finally Mr.. EIdredge-
who, by the way, is an English gentle.
man of the strictest type-ventured
the remark: well, old Ag," as they
seem to call you here, allow me to in
troduce myself as your cuusin Rod.
cry Eldredge. l have come to tell
you that your old father, Lord Bran.
ningsford, is dead, and that you are
heir to four ffths Of his estate, which
is about $2,000,000." To say that
"0ld Ag" was startled by the unex.
pected news would not express one
half, and the scene which followed car
be better imaged than described.
Lord Branningsford, who was very
wealthy, had two sons, one named
Lionald, and the other Agernon. Ii
l87 Lionald was married to a younl
lady of high birth by the name O
Elizabeth Stratten. Agernon was {
frequent visitor at the family resi-
dence, and owing to a quarrel between
the two brothers over the young wifi
Agernon embarked for America, ant
arrived in San Francisco in the fal
Of 1850. According to his own story
he first engaged as bookkeeper in tn
wholesale house of A. p. HOtaling, il
which position he remained for yea
and half, when defalcation in hi
accounts caused his discharge. H,
then went to mining, and his histor.
from that epoch down to the tim
he was found a penniless tramp il
this city is but tho story of the man!
who have gone that way. About tw
years ago his brother died, and onl,
| five months ago his father also died
leaving him heir to four-6fths of hi
estate, one-fith going to his cousin
who was made the residuary legate
if he could prove Agernons death
| This he set out to do, but coming
| San Francisco, he found the Twin
heir vagabond.