Mark Twain

A Couple of Truly Wonderful Stories
Ein paar wirklich wunderbare Geschichten

Auswahl und Übersetzung
von Hella Leicht

Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Titelblatt

2. Impressum

3. The Joke that Made Ed’s Fortune

4. Rank and Dignity of Piloting

5. How to Tell a Story

6. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

7. The Cayote

8. Lost in a Snowstorm

9. The Story of the Good Little Boy

10. The War Prayer

11. The Man Who Put Up at Gadsby’s

12. The Californian’s Tale

13. Biographische Notiz

14. Informationen zum Buch

15. Leseprobe: Mark Twain, The Diaries of Adam and Eve

16. A Couple of Truly Wonderful Stories (Englisch)

Originalausgabe
2013 Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, München

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ISBN der gedruckten Ausgabe 978-3-423-09278-4

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Konvertierung, Synchronisation und Umsetzung: Doppeltext

The Joke that Made Ed’s Fortune

Der Streich, der Ed Glück brachte

Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar

Laßt uns dankbar sein für die Toren. Ohne sie könnten wir übrigen keinen Erfolg haben.
Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar

A few years before the outbreak of the Civil War it began to appear that Memphis, Tennessee, was going to be a great tobacco entrepot –

Einige Jahre vor Ausbruch des Bürgerkrieges stellte es sich heraus, daß Memphis im Staate Tennessee anfing, ein großer Tabakumschlagplatz zu werden;

the wise could see the signs of it. At that time Memphis had a wharfboat, of course.

wer einsichtig war, konnte die Anzeichen bemerken. Selbstverständlich besaß Memphis damals ein Verladeschiff.

There was a paved sloping wharf, for the accommodation of freight, but the steamers landed on the outside of the wharfboat,

Es gab zwar einen abschüssigen, gepflasterten Kai zum Abstellen der Fracht, aber die Dampfer legten an der Außenseite des Verladeschiffes an,

and all loading and unloading was done across it, between steamer and shore.

und jegliches Laden und Löschen zwischen Dampfer und Ufer wurde über dessen Deck abgewickelt.

A number of wharfboat clerks were needed, and part of the time, every day, they were very busy, and part of the time tediously idle.

Dazu brauchte man eine Anzahl Angestellte. Die mußten jeden Tag einige Zeit hart arbeiten und dann wieder einige Zeit langweiligen Müßiggang ertragen.

They were boiling over with youth and spirits, and they had to make the intervals of idleness endurable in some way;

Sie sprühten vor Jugend und Unternehmungsgeist und mußten sich die Pausen, in denen nichts zu tun war, irgendwie erträglich machen;

and as a rule, they did it by contriving practical jokes and playing them upon each other.

meist taten sie es, indem sie sich Streiche ausdachten und sich gegenseitig spielten.

The favorite butt for the jokes was Ed Jackson, because he played none himself, and was easy game for other people’s

Das beliebteste Opfer dieser Streiche war Ed Jackson, weil er selbst nie welche machte und für die der anderen eine leichte Beute darstellte

– for he always believed whatever was told him.

– denn er glaubte immer alles, was man ihm erzählte.

One day he told the others his scheme for his holiday.

Eines Tages eröffnete er den anderen seine Absichten für die Ferien.

He was not going fishing or hunting this time – no, he had thought out a better plan.

Er wollte sie diesmal nicht mit Fischen oder Jagen verbringen, oh nein, er hatte sich einen besseren Plan ausgedacht.

Out of his forty dollars a month he had saved enough for his purpose, in an economical way, and he was going to have a look at New York.

Von seinen vierzig Dollars im Monat hatte er sich durch sparsames Verhalten genug beiseite gelegt für seinen Zweck, und nun wollte er sich mal New York ansehen.

It was a great and surprising idea. It meant travel – immense travel – in those days it meant seeing the world;

Das war eine großartige und überraschende Idee. Das hieß, eine Reise machen, eine unermeßliche Reise – in jenen Tagen bedeutete es: die Welt sehen;

it was the equivalent of a voyage around it in ours.

es war dasselbe, was für uns heutzutage eine Weltreise ist.

At first the other youths thought his mind was affected, but when they found that he was in earnest,

Zunächst glaubten die übrigen Burschen, er sei nicht ganz bei Verstand, aber als sie merkten, daß es ihm ernst damit war,

the next thing to be thought of was, what sort of opportunity this venture might afford for a practical joke.

dachten sie als nächstes darüber nach, welche Möglichkeiten für einen Streich dieses Abenteuer bieten mochte.

The young men studied over the matter, then held a secret consultation and made a plan.

Die jungen Männer überlegten gründlich, hielten dann eine geheime Beratung ab und machten folgenden Plan:

The idea was, that one of the conspirators should offer Ed a letter of introduction to Commodore Vanderbilt, and trick him into delivering it.

Einer der Verschwörer sollte Ed ein Empfehlungsschreiben für Kommodore Vanderbilt anbieten und ihn überreden, es abzugeben.

It would be easy to do this. But what would Ed do when he got back to Memphis? That was a serious matter.

Das wäre leicht zu machen. Aber was würde Ed tun, wenn er nach Memphis zurückkäme? Das war eine ernste Sache.

He was good-hearted, and had always taken the jokes patiently; but they had been jokes which did not humiliate him, did not bring him to shame;

Er war gutmütig und hatte stets geduldig ihre Späße hingenommen, aber es waren Späße gewesen, die ihn nicht demütigten oder beschämten;

whereas, this would be a cruel one in that way, and to play it was to meddle with fire;

dieser dagegen war, was das betraf, grausam. Ed diesen Streich spielen, hieß mit dem Feuer spielen;

for with all his good nature, Ed was a Southerner – and the English of that was,

denn bei all seiner Gutherzigkeit war Ed doch ein Südstaatler, und das hieß auf gut Englisch,

that when he came back he would kill as many of the conspirators as he could before falling himself.

daß er bei seiner Rückkehr möglichst viele der Verschwörer umbringen würde, bevor er selber fiel.

However, the chances must be taken – it wouldn’t do to waste such a joke as that.

Nun, dieses Risiko mußten sie eben auf sich nehmen. Einen solchen Spaß durfte man sich nicht entgehen lassen.

So the letter was prepared with great care and elaboration. It was signed Alfred Fairchild, and was written in an easy and friendly spirit.

So wurde der Brief mit großer Umsicht und Sorgfalt abgefaßt. Er war in unbefangenem, freundlichem Ton gehalten und mit Alfred Fairchild unterzeichnet.

It stated that the bearer was the bosom friend of the writer’s son, and was of good parts and sterling character,

Es stand darin, der Überbringer sei eng befreundet mit dem Sohn des Schreibers, er besitze gute geistige Fähigkeiten und habe einen gediegenen Charakter,

and it begged the Commodore to be kind to the young stranger for the writer’s sake.

und der Kommodore möge dem Schreiber zuliebe dem jungen Fremden freundlich begegnen.

It went on to say, “You may have forgotten me, in this long stretch of time,

Weiter hieß es: «Sie mögen mich in dieser langen Zeitspanne vergessen haben,

but you will easily call me back out of your boyhood memories

aber Sie werden mich unschwer hervorholen aus Ihren Kindheitserinnerungen,

when I remind you of how we robbed old Stevenson’s orchard that night;

wenn ich Ihnen ins Gedächtnis rufe, wie wir an dem einen Abend den Obstgarten vom alten Stevenson plünderten

and how, while he was chasing down the road after us, we cut across the field and doubled back

und wie wir, während er auf der Straße hinter uns her jagte, querfeldein liefen und zurückschlichen

and sold his own apples to his own cook for an hatful of doughnuts; and the time that we and so forth and so on, bringing in names of imaginary comrades,

und seine eigenen Äpfel für eine Mütze voll Krapfen an seinen Koch verkauften; und wie wir das andere Mal…» Und so weiter, und so weiter. Namen von erfundenen Kameraden wurden genannt

and detailing all sorts of wild and absurd and, of course, wholly imaginary school-boy pranks and adventures, but putting them into lively and telling shape.

und alle möglichen ausgelassenen und verrückten, dabei natürlich völlig erfundenen Schuljungenstreiche und Abenteuer bis in alle Einzelheiten lebendig und anschaulich geschildert.

With all gravity Ed was asked if he would like to have a letter to Commodore Vanderbilt, the great millionaire.

Mit aller Feierlichkeit wurde Ed gefragt, ob er gerne einen Brief für Kommodore Vanderbilt, den großen Millionär, haben wollte.

It was expected that the question would astonish Ed, and it did.

Man erwartete, daß ihn die Frage überraschen würde, und so war es auch.

“What? Do you know that extraordinary man?”

«Was? Du kennst diesen außergewöhnlichen Mann?»

“No; but my father does. They were schoolboys together. And if you like, I’ll write and ask father.

«Nein, aber mein Vater. Sie waren Schulkameraden. Und wenn du willst, werde ich meinem Vater schreiben und ihn bitten.

I know he’ll be glad to give it to you for my sake.”

Ich weiß, mir zuliebe wird er dir gerne einen mitgeben.»

Ed could not find words capable of expressing his gratitude and delight. The three days passed, and the letter was put into his hands.

Ed fand keine Worte, seine Dankbarkeit und Freude auszudrücken. Nach Ablauf der drei Tage wurde ihm der Brief übergeben.

He started on his trip, still pouring out his thanks while he shook good-by all around.

Er trat seine Reise an, und als er allen zum Lebewohl die Hand schüttelte, strömte er noch immer über vor Dankbarkeit.

And when he was out of sight his comrades let fly their laughter in a storm of happy satisfaction

Als er ihren Blicken entschwunden war, machten seine Kameraden ihrer glücklichen Zufriedenheit in einem dröhnenden Gelächter Luft

– and then quieted down, and were less happy, less satisfied.

– doch dann wurden sie leiser und waren nicht mehr so glücklich und zufrieden.

For the old doubts as to the wisdom of this deception began to intrude again.

Denn der alte Zweifel, ob sie mit diesem Betrug weise gehandelt hatten, meldete sich wieder.

Arrived in New York, Ed found his way to Commodore Vanderbilt’s business quarters,

Als Ed in New York angelangt war, begab er sich in die Geschäftsräume von Kommodore Vanderbilt.

and was ushered into a large anteroom, where a score of people were patiently awaiting their turn

Er wurde in ein großes Vorzimmer geführt, wo viele Leute geduldig warteten, bis sie an die Reihe kommen würden,

for a two-minute interview with the millionaire in his private office.

um zwei Minuten mit dem Millionär in seinem Privatbüro zu sprechen.

A servant asked for Ed’s card, and got the letter instead.

Ein Diener bat Ed um seine Karte und erhielt statt dessen den Brief.

Ed was sent for a moment later, and found Mr. Vanderbilt alone, with the letter – open – in his hand.

Kurz darauf wurde Ed hereingerufen. Herr Vanderbilt war allein und hielt den – geöffneten – Brief in der Hand.

“Pray sit down, Mr. – er – ”

«Bitte, nehmen Sie Platz, Herr…»

“Jackson.”

“Ah – sit down, Mr. Jackson. By the opening sentences it seems to be a letter from an old friend.

«Aha, nehmen Sie Platz, Herr Jackson. Nach den ersten Sätzen scheint es sich um den Brief eines alten Freundes zu handeln.

Allow me – I will run my eye through it. He says – he says – why, who is it?” He turned the sheet and found the signature.

Gestatten Sie, daß ich ihn überfliege. Er schreibt, er schreibt… aber, wer ist es denn eigentlich?» Er drehte das Blatt um und fand die Unterschrift.

“Alfred Fairchild – h’m – Fairchild – I don’t recall the name. But that is nothing – a thousand names have gone from me.

«Alfred Fairchild, hm… Fairchild… Ich kann mich nicht an den Namen erinnern. Aber das hat nichts zu sagen – mir sind tausend Namen entfallen.

He says – he says – h’m – h’m – oh, dear, but it’s good! Oh, it’s rare!

Er schreibt, er schreibt… hm… hm… Ach du meine Güte, das ist prächtig! Oh, köstlich!

I don’t quite remember it, but I seem to – it’ll all come back to me presently.

Ich kann mich zwar nicht genau erinnern, aber ich glaube, es fällt mir gleich wieder ein.

He says – he says – h’m – h’m – oh, but that was a game! Oh, spl-endid! How it carries me back!

Er schreibt, er schreibt… hm… hm… oh ja, das war ein Spaß! Oh, grrroßartig! Wie fühle ich mich zurückversetzt!

It’s all dim, of course – it’s a long time ago – and the names – some of the names are wavery and indistinct –

Es ist zwar alles wie im Nebel, natürlich, es ist ja lange her, und die Namen – einige Namen sind verschwommen und unklar,

but sho’, I know it happened – I can feel it! and lord, how it warms my heart, and brings back my lost youth!

aber ich weiß bestimmt, es war so – ich fühle es! Mein Gott, wie mir dabei warm ums Herz wird, wie mir das meine verlorene Jugend zurückbringt!

Well, well, well, I’ve got to come back into this workaday world now – business presses and people are waiting –

Aber leider, leider, jetzt muß ich zurück in die Arbeitswelt – die Geschäfte drängen, und die Leute warten.

I’ll keep the rest for bed to-night, and live my youth over again.

Den Rest will ich für heute abend im Bett aufheben und dabei noch einmal meine Jugend durchleben.

And you’ll thank Fairchild for me when you see him – I used to call him Alf, I think –

Und sagen Sie Fairchild, wenn Sie ihn treffen (ich nannte ihn wohl Alf),

and you’ll give him my gratitude for what this letter has done for the tired spirit of a hardworked man,

meinen Dank für seinen Brief, der dem ermüdeten Geist eines vielbeschäftigten Mannes so wohl getan hat;

and tell him there isn’t anything that I can do for him or any friend of his that I won’t do.

sagen Sie ihm, daß es nichts gibt, was ich nicht für ihn oder einen seiner Freunde tun würde, wenn es in meiner Macht steht.

And as for you, my lad, you are my guest; you can’t stop at any hotel in New York.

Und Sie, mein Junge, sind mein Gast; Sie dürfen in New York nicht im Hotel wohnen.

Sit where you are a little while, till I get through with these people, then we’ll go home.

Bleiben Sie eine kleine Weile dort sitzen, bis ich die Leute abgefertigt habe, dann gehen wir heim.

I’ll take care of you, my boy – make yourself easy as to that.”

Für Sie werde ich sorgen, mein Junge – da machen Sie sich keine Gedanken.»

The Joke that Made Ed’s Fortune

Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar

A few years before the outbreak of the Civil War it began to appear that Memphis, Tennessee, was going to be a great tobacco entrepot – the wise could see the signs of it. At that time Memphis had a wharfboat, of course. There was a paved sloping wharf, for the accommodation of freight, but the steamers landed on the outside of the wharfboat, and all loading and unloading was done across it, between steamer and shore. A number of wharfboat clerks were needed, and part of the time, every day, they were very busy, and part of the time tediously idle. They were boiling over with youth and spirits, and they had to make the intervals of idleness endurable in some way; and as a rule, they did it by contriving practical jokes and playing them upon each other.

The favorite butt for the jokes was Ed Jackson, because he played none himself, and was easy game for other people’s – for he always believed whatever was told him.

One day he told the others his scheme for his holiday. He was not going fishing or hunting this time – no, he had thought out a better plan. Out of his forty dollars a month he had saved enough for his purpose, in an economical way, and he was going to have a look at New York.

It was a great and surprising idea. It meant travel – immense travel – in those days it meant seeing the world; it was the equivalent of a voyage around it in ours. At first the other youths thought his mind was affected, but when they found that he was in earnest, the next thing to be thought of was, what sort of opportunity this venture might afford for a practical joke.

The young men studied over the matter, then held a secret consultation and made a plan. The idea was, that one of the conspirators should offer Ed a letter of introduction to Commodore Vanderbilt, and trick him into delivering it. It would be easy to do this. But what would Ed do when he got back to Memphis? That was a serious matter. He was good-hearted, and had always taken the jokes patiently; but they had been jokes which did not humiliate him, did not bring him to shame; whereas, this would be a cruel one in that way, and to play it was to meddle with fire; for with all his good nature, Ed was a Southerner – and the English of that was, that when he came back he would kill as many of the conspirators as he could before falling himself. However, the chances must be taken – it wouldn’t do to waste such a joke as that.

So the letter was prepared with great care and elaboration. It was signed Alfred Fairchild, and was written in an easy and friendly spirit. It stated that the bearer was the bosom friend of the writer’s son, and was of good parts and sterling character, and it begged the Commodore to be kind to the young stranger for the writer’s sake. It went on to say, “You may have forgotten me, in this long stretch of time, but you will easily call me back out of your boyhood memories when I remind you of how we robbed old Stevenson’s orchard that night; and how, while he was chasing down the road after us, we cut across the field and doubled back and sold his own apples to his own cook for an hatful of doughnuts; and the time that we and so forth and so on, bringing in names of imaginary comrades, and detailing all sorts of wild and absurd and, of course, wholly imaginary school-boy pranks and adventures, but putting them into lively and telling shape.

With all gravity Ed was asked if he would like to have a letter to Commodore Vanderbilt, the great millionaire. It was expected that the question would astonish Ed, and it did.

“What? Do you know that extraordinary man?”

“No; but my father does. They were schoolboys together. And if you like, I’ll write and ask father. I know he’ll be glad to give it to you for my sake.”

Ed could not find words capable of expressing his gratitude and delight. The three days passed, and the letter was put into his hands. He started on his trip, still pouring out his thanks while he shook good-by all around. And when he was out of sight his comrades let fly their laughter in a storm of happy satisfaction – and then quieted down, and were less happy, less satisfied. For the old doubts as to the wisdom of this deception began to intrude again.

Arrived in New York, Ed found his way to Commodore Vanderbilt’s business quarters, and was ushered into a large anteroom, where a score of people were patiently awaiting their turn for a two-minute interview with the millionaire in his private office. A servant asked for Ed’s card, and got the letter instead. Ed was sent for a moment later, and found Mr. Vanderbilt alone, with the letter – open – in his hand.

“Pray sit down, Mr. – er – ”

“Jackson.”

“Ah – sit down, Mr. Jackson. By the opening sentences it seems to be a letter from an old friend. Allow me – I will run my eye through it. He says – he says – why, who is it?” He turned the sheet and found the signature. “Alfred Fairchild – h’m – Fairchild – I don’t recall the name. But that is nothing – a thousand names have gone from me. He says – he says – h’m – h’m – oh, dear, but it’s good! Oh, it’s rare! I don’t quite remember it, but I seem to – it’ll all come back to me presently. He says – he says – h’m – h’m – oh, but that was a game! Oh, spl-endid! How it carries me back! It’s all dim, of course – it’s a long time ago – and the names – some of the names are wavery and indistinct – but sho’, I know it happened – I can feel it! and lord, how it warms my heart, and brings back my lost youth! Well, well, well, I’ve got to come back into this workaday world now – business presses and people are waiting – I’ll keep the rest for bed to-night, and live my youth over again. And you’ll thank Fairchild for me when you see him – I used to call him Alf, I think – and you’ll give him my gratitude for what this letter has done for the tired spirit of a hardworked man, and tell him there isn’t anything that I can do for him or any friend of his that I won’t do. And as for you, my lad, you are my guest; you can’t stop at any hotel in New York. Sit where you are a little while, till I get through with these people, then we’ll go home. I’ll take care of you, my boy – make yourself easy as to that.”