The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

A Curious Request

A friend from the East wrote me, asking if I could track down a man named Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, supposedly once a preacher in a small mining town called Angel’s Camp. I suspected the whole thing was a prank—my friend probably just wanted me to get stuck listening to a long, boring story from an old local named Simon Wheeler.

Meeting Simon Wheeler

I found Simon napping peacefully by the stove in a shabby tavern in Angel’s Camp. He was a big, bald, kind-looking man. When I told him about my mission to find info on Rev. Smiley, he lit up—not because he knew him, but because the name reminded him of a different Smiley: Jim Smiley. Before I knew it, Wheeler had backed me into a corner, sat me down, and launched into a slow, steady, absolutely serious story about this strange fellow.

Jim Smiley: The Betting Man

Jim Smiley was the most obsessive gambler you'd ever meet. He’d bet on anything—races, fights, insects walking across the ground—you name it. He didn’t even care which side he was on; as long as there was a bet, he was in. And strangely enough, he usually won.

The Sick Horse That Always Won

Smiley had this sad-looking mare people called the "fifteen-minute nag" just for laughs. She had a wheezy cough, looked half-dead, and always started slow. But right when the race was nearly over, she’d go nuts—sneezing, stumbling, kicking up dust—and somehow pull ahead to win by a nose.

Andrew Jackson, the Genius Pup

He also owned a bull pup named Andrew Jackson who looked lazy, but when money was on the line, he transformed. He’d act calm and take a few beatings, but just when all the bets were stacked against him, he’d bite the other dog’s hind leg and hang on till the fight was over. That pup won every time—until one day, someone entered a dog with no back legs. Andrew was stunned, lost his confidence, and never fought again. He limped off and, Wheeler swears, died of heartbreak.

Enter: The Frog

But the real legend was his frog, Dan’l Webster. Smiley caught and trained him for months to jump farther than any frog around. He’d make him practice jumping and catching flies until the frog was as sharp as a tack. Smiley was so confident that he’d bet anyone Dan’l could out-jump any frog in Calaveras County.

The Stranger’s Trick

One day, a stranger came by. Smiley boasted about Dan’l, and the man played dumb. He didn’t have a frog but said he’d bet $40 if he did. Smiley, excited, said, “Hold my frog—I’ll get you one!” While he was gone, the stranger opened Dan’l’s mouth and filled him with lead shot. When Smiley returned with a new frog, the competition began. On the count of three, the stranger’s frog jumped—and Dan’l barely moved.

Realization and Revenge

Smiley was shocked. The stranger took the money and casually remarked, “I don’t see anything special about that frog,” before walking off. Smiley picked up Dan’l and noticed he was unusually heavy. He flipped him over, and out poured a handful of metal pellets. Realizing he’d been tricked, Smiley ran after the man, but it was too late—he was gone.

The Tale Ends

Just then, someone called Wheeler from outside. He told me to wait, but I took the opportunity to leave. I didn’t learn anything about Leonidas W. Smiley—but I sure got a strange and hilarious story about Jim Smiley. As I left, Wheeler came back and started in on another tale—this time about a one-eyed cow with no tail. I politely said my goodbyes and escaped while I still could.

Conclusion

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is a humorous tale about human gullibility, clever trickery, and the absurd lengths people will go for a bet. Through Simon Wheeler’s long-winded story about the gambler Jim Smiley and his extraordinary frog, Mark Twain satirizes storytelling, exaggeration, and small-town life. The narrator never finds the person he came to ask about—instead, he becomes the unsuspecting audience for a tall tale that’s more entertaining than useful.

Written by Mark Twain (1835-1910)

Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was a master of American humor and storytelling. Known for his wit and sharp observations of human nature, Twain rose to fame with The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, one of his earliest published works. This short story, first released in 1865, showcases Twain's signature style—regional dialect, comic exaggeration, and a playful jab at the quirks of American life. It marked the beginning of his literary career and introduced readers to his unique voice and satirical genius.