A sad-eyed stranger, a canvasser, shares his life story with a sympathetic listener. He recounts his upbringing by his wealthy uncle, Ithuriel, who indulged him in luxury. After graduating, he traveled abroad, where he developed a passion for collecting rare items. Encouraged by his letters, his uncle became obsessed with collecting, starting with cow-bells and moving through various oddities, each time facing disappointment when he couldn't complete his collection. Ultimately, the uncle decides to collect echoes, believing they are unique and unclaimed. He acquires several echoes from different states, culminating in the purchase of a remarkable echo known as the Great Koh-i-noor, which could repeat sounds for an extended duration. However, he soon discovers that another collector, Jarvis, owns part of the echo, leading to a legal battle over ownership. The court rules that both collectors own their respective hills but are tenants in common of the echo, preventing either from fully utilizing it. The echo's power is lost, and the uncle's collection becomes worthless. Shortly before the narrator's wedding, he learns of his uncle's death and inherits the collection, which is heavily mortgaged and scattered across the country. The narrator's fiancée, Celestine, cannot accept him due to his newfound poverty, leading to their separation. The canvasser, now alone and heartbroken, attempts to sell echoes to the listener, who, overwhelmed by previous purchases, refuses. Despite the canvasser's persistence, the listener ultimately buys a few echoes, resigning himself to the fate of being ensnared by a canvasser's sales pitch.
By Mark Twain · First published 1885 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Fiction