The Canvasser's Tale by Mark Twain

Name: The Canvasser's Tale
Author: Mark Twain

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 · 2,772 words

First lines

Poor, sad-eyed stranger! There was that about his humble mien, his tired look, his decayed-gentility clothes, that almost reached the mustard-seed of charity that still remained, remote and lonely, in the empty vastness of my heart, notwithstanding I observed a portfolio under his arm, and said to myself, Behold, Providence hath delivered his servant into the hands of another canvasser.

Well, these people always get one interested. Before I well knew how it came about, this one was telling me his history, and I was all attention and sympathy. He told it something like this: --

What this Textopian page supports

The Canvasser's Tale is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mark Twain, dated 1885 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Mark Twain
Date: 1885 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Humor, Fiction, Social Commentary, Tragedy
Length: 2,772 words
Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Satire — The narrative critiques societal norms and the absurdity of collecting, highlighting human folly.
Humor — The story employs comedic elements and exaggeration to entertain while conveying deeper messages.
Fiction — The work is a fictional tale that explores themes of wealth, ambition, and the human condition.
Social Commentary — It reflects on social behaviors and attitudes towards wealth and materialism.