Here are some arguments for each side:
Twain benefited:
* He gained a story: The entire story is about Twain's encounter with the mesmerizer, and his trickery is what makes the story so memorable.
* He entertained the reader: Twain's humorous and witty storytelling is captivating, and the trickery adds to the amusement.
* He potentially gained insight: While we don't know for sure, Twain may have learned something about human nature through his interaction with the mesmerizer.
The mesmerizer benefited:
* He got paid: The mesmerizer received money for the story about the frog, even though it wasn't his own.
* He achieved notoriety: While the story mocks him, it also puts him in the public eye.
Ultimately, the story suggests that Twain's trickery ultimately backfired on the mesmerizer. By exposing him as a liar and a con man, Twain undermined his credibility and left him with a reputation for being foolish.
Conclusion:
The story's true purpose is to entertain, and Twain likely achieved that goal by portraying the mesmerizer in a ridiculous light. While the mesmerizer received some short-term benefit, in the long run, it's Twain who emerges as the victor.
However, it's important to remember that the story is a fictionalized account, and we can't know for sure what happened in real life.