Mr. Turtle chose an appraiser first--a second cousin of Mr. Whistle, of the firm of Whistle & Sharp, and a man who was deeply in debt on their books--a bilious, weazen-faced, melancholy-looking man, who had acquired a great reputation for wisdom by saying nothing--whose name was Clinket. No one appearing to choose for the plaintiffs, the sheriff selected the other two. He named Mr. Troper, a seedy old fellow, whose crown was half out of his hat, whose beard was white, his nose red, and who had a whiskey-cough, and who was in the habit of visiting the barrel-tap of Whistle & Sharp three or four times a day, in consideration of odd jobs performed by him around the store; also, Mr. Fatler, a chubby-faced, twinkle-eyed wag, who would not hesitate to perpetrate a good joke, even under oath, particularly upon non-residents. The Puddlefordians were out in mass to see Follett & Co. try a run on their "bank." Many remarks were made. Bulliphant said "the cylinder alone cost five hundred dollars." Swipes said "it was a bully piece of stuff." "How much is the debt?" inquired Bates. "Two thirds of twelve hundred," exclaimed Turtle, loudly, "is eight hundred." "Worth the debt for old iron," said the Colonel. These remarks, designed for the appraisers, had their effect; they examined; they figured; retired for consultation; returned; retired again; and finally appraised the property turned out at sixteen hundred dollars; paying, at two thirds its _value_, the debt of Whistle & Sharp, and leaving a very handsome surplus due them from their creditors. But I am very happy to be enabled to say that Whistle & Sharp most magnanimously offered to release all _their_ claim on the levy to Follett & Co., if they would take the property, and discharge the judgment and costs, "making," as they said in their letter to them, "a clear profit on their part of from four to five hundred dollars." FOOTNOTES: [A] This is the substance of a portion of the act, as it stood in force some years. [B] This is a literal fact. CHAPTER XIII. The "Fev-Nag."--Conflicting Theories.--"Oxergin and Hydergin."--Teazle's Rationale.--The Scourge of the West.--Sile Bates, and his Condition.--Squire Longbow and Jim Buzzard.--Puddleford Prostrate.--Various Practitioners.--"The Billerous Duck."--Pioneer Martyrs.--Wave over Wave. During my first fall's residence at Puddleford, I frequently heard a character spoken of, who seemed to be full as famous in the annals of the place as Squire Longbow himself. He was called by a great variety of names, and very seldom alluded to with respect. He was termed the "Fev-Nag," the "Ag-an-Fev," the "Shakin' Ager," the "Shakes," and a great variety of other hard names were visited upon him.