The Mark Twain short story, ”The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” is one for the ages. The narrator of the story tells the story of a gambling man by the name of Jim Smiley and the animals that he uses in his schemes to win money. Smiley, has made a true name for himself gambling and unlike most gamblers he will let others choose which side they would like to bet. The story of Smiley is brought to light after the narrator arrives at a mining camp in search of Leonidas W. Smiley. When he questions an older gentleman by the name of Simon Wheeler who can not recall a Leonidas but he does know a Jim Smiley and goes into the story of Smiley. Smiley was “uncommon lucky” and could win any bed. He bed on everything from horses and mules to birds and dogs- and won. His frog, Dan’l Webster was a remarkable jumper and Smiley challenges anyone from Calaveras County to bring a frog that will out-jump Dan’l Webster. A stranger appears and bets $40 but has no frog. While Smiley is finding him one, the stranger fills Dan’l Webster’s mouth with quail-shot and once Smiley find a frog, Dan’l can’t jump. The man makes of with $40 before Smiley discovers what had happened. I know many men who take pride in being lucky and some who just know how to bet. Smiley was lucky in all aspects but when a true betting man came along it was his demise. A lucky man will cling to his luck in all instances much as Smiley did when he ran off to find a frog because he knew his would win due to luck. A betting man on the other hand is out to win; he can’t rely on luck so there for he will do what is necessary to accomplish just that. In the Army we have a phrase that goes, “If you ain’t cheatin, you ain’t tryin.” The stranger, much like a poker player glancing at another players cards, did just that. This is a great story that gives a comic relief to the more tragic events occurring during this time period.
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Mark Twain is a work of art within himself. The stories that he writes are absolutely magnificent. I think they deserve to be on the top 100 readings of its century. This story happens to be about a man who is so lucky that he will bet on anything just because he knows that he will win. Well, he got a little bit ahead of himself and became complacent in his tactics. Not paying attention to detail is what got him. It was actually a bit funny after it got to the point where he realized that he had been cheated. I agree with you mr/mrs sweetz. This is somewhat of a comic relief.
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