A Horses Tale: Originally Illustrated

"I am Buffalo Bills horse. I have spent my life under his saddle-with him in it, too, and he is

good for two hundred pounds, without his clothes."

-Mark Twain, A Horses Tale (1907)

A Horses Tale (1907) is a story written by Mark Twain mostly in the voice of Soldier Boy, Buffalo Bills horse, who communicates with the reader and with other animals. The main character of this tale, however, is nine-year-old Cathy, who lives with her uncle, a general at a cavalry post in mid-19^th century America. Cathy is befriended by Buffalo Bill, who gives her his horse. Cathys character is said to be inspired by Mark Twains daughter, Susy Clemens, who died young at age 24.

This replica of the original edition of A Horses Tale, with illustrations by well-known American illustrator Lucius Hitchcock, is comical and sharp. It also offers Twains social commentary about mans cruelty to animals and specifically regarding bullfighting in Spain.