Many incidents that took place aboard his ship are re-told by Twain. One has to do with a wealthy cattle man who was approached by three gamblers. The cattle farmer had let it be known that he had a great deal of money, and the gamblers were trying to him into a card game. He protested that he knew nothing about the cards. His rustic appearance confirmed that fact. On the last night before landing the three gamblers got him drunk. When the first hand was dealt, a jubilant expression came over his face. The betting became furious. All of the proper decorum was put aside, and ten thousand dollars soon lay on the table. With the last wager one of the gamblers showed a hand of four kings. His partner was to have dealt the sucker a hand of four queens. At this point the victim, the charlatan, removed the veneer of respectability, and showed a hand of four aces! One of the three professional gamblers was a clandestine confederate of the rich cattle farmer.” They had been planning this duplicity for many weeks.
- wealthy – having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich.
- rustic – kampungan, an unsophisticated country person
- jubilant – bergembira sekali,feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.
- proper – tepat, layak, baik
- decorum – kesopanan, kepantasan, behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety.
- wager – taruhan
- sucker – orang tolol/gampang ditipu.
- charlatan – dukun, a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill; a fraud.
- veneer – menutupi sifat sebenarnya
- respectability – kehormatan, kemuliaan
- clandestine – rahasia, diam-diam
- confederate – sekongkol
- duplicity – bermuka dua, tipu muslihat, deceitfulness; double-dealing
“Cattleman” typically refers to a person who owns, raises, or works with cattle. It can also refer to a type of hat known as a “cattleman hat” or “cattleman style hat.” This style of hat has a wide brim and a creased crown, often associated with the American West and ranching culture.
In the context of ranching or livestock, a cattleman is someone involved in the management, breeding, and care of cattle. They may oversee the feeding, health, and overall well-being of the animals, as well as handle tasks such as branding, herding, and maintaining the ranch infrastructure.
Whispers of the Countryside
In the rural depths of the countryside, far from the bustling city lights, resided a small country village. Life here was simple and unrefined, where the charm of homely comforts and unsophisticated ways embraced their hearts. The people lived in harmony with the natural surroundings, deeply rooted in their traditional values.
Unbeknownst to the village, there existed a hidden secret within their midst. A mythical creature, charmingly old-fashioned yet mystical in nature, wandered the fields and forests. Legends spoke of its ability to bring fortune to those who encountered it, but only a handful believed such tales.
One day, a young girl named Lily, known for her wild imagination and love for adventure, found herself venturing into the heart of the countryside. Drawn by whispers of the mystical creature, she followed the winding path that led deeper into nature’s embrace.
As the sun set and darkness cast its veil upon the land, Lily stumbled upon a hidden clearing. Soft moonlight filtered through the towering trees, illuminating a figure so ethereal and ancient. The creature, with its long mane of silver and glowing eyes, exuded an air of serenity.
Captivated by the creature’s presence, Lily approached, hesitantly extending her hand. In that moment, their connection was forged, and the boundaries between the ordinary and extraordinary blurred.
From that day forward, Lily’s life intertwined with the rural realm. She discovered the beauty of nature’s embrace, the wisdom held within unsophisticated simplicity, and the rich tapestry of the traditional ways. Through her adventures, she learned to appreciate the charmingly old-fashioned elements of life and the enchantment hidden within the countryside’s embrace.
Word by word, the story of the rural village and the mythical creature unfolded, weaving a tale of mystery, wonder, and the allure of the countryside.