Polly in the Southwest

In Short

This narrative follows a wealthy, restless group of friends—including the intrepid Polly, the effervescent Eleanor, and their enigmatic benefactor Mr. Dalken—as they journey from New York across the American Southwest. While the younger members seek adventure and screen fame in California, the men operate under the tension of high-stakes business deals, often maintaining false identities to outmaneuver corporate rivals. A blend of travelogue and social comedy, the story captures the collision between refined Eastern manners and the unvarnished, dusty reality of early twentieth-century Western landscapes.

The Story

The journey begins in New York, where the group finds the city’s pace jarring after a long yachting excursion. Mr. Dalken announces a new, mysterious itinerary leading west, much to the excitement of Polly, Eleanor, and their friend Dodo. As they travel by train and automobile through Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, the dynamic of the party is defined by a clash of temperaments. Dodo’s mother, Mrs. Alexander, presents a constant source of friction, dressing ostentatiously and demanding status, while her husband—a blunt, practical man—relies on the help of Algy, a fawning, bumbling English valet who is treated as a minor nuisance by the rest of the party.

As the group progresses, the narrative splits. While the younger members explore the Painted Cave, the Grand Canyon, and various missions, the older men—Mr. Dalken, Mr. Alexander, and their associate Mr. Fuzzier—are preoccupied with securing mining options for a South American venture. Their secrecy becomes a game of cat-and-mouse against the United Copper Company, requiring them to register under false names and occasionally engage in literal "detective" work. Tensions peak during a storm near a mountain trail where their guide is injured, forcing the women to rely on their own resilience to navigate the blizzard.

The group’s travels are punctuated by various social mishaps, such as when Algy accidentally unravels Dodo’s knitting, and frequent outbursts from Mrs. Alexander, whose vanity remains unchecked by the rugged surroundings. Despite her persistent efforts to dominate social interactions, she is repeatedly sidelined by the more genuine camaraderie of the younger travelers and the quiet, capable leadership of Mrs. Courtney.

By the time the party reaches California, the business plot reaches its climax. Mr. Dalken and his colleagues succeed in their financial maneuvering, ensuring their mining stock is fully capitalized before their departure for South America. The story concludes in Los Angeles with the arrival of new acquaintances from Denver. The final atmosphere is one of transition and anticipation; the long-term bonds between the travelers are firmly established, and they begin looking toward future expeditions, specifically a summer voyage to Alaska, as they prepare to disperse for their next professional and personal chapters.

How It Unfolds

The transition to the West The party departs New York on the Chicago Express, leaving behind friends who prefer the stability of the city. Mr. Dalken keeps the ultimate destination vague, hinting only that they will head toward the Pacific while balancing business obligations.

The search for domestic help In Denver, the group attempts to hire a lady's maid for Mrs. Alexander, but the search reveals a cultural divide between the polished expectations of the East and the plain-spoken, rustic reality of the West. Polly suggests utilizing an Indian guide instead, which sets the tone for their future reliance on local expertise.

The social dance of the travelers The group navigates various "hops" and tourist stops where the contrast between Mrs. Alexander’s gaudy attire and Mrs. Courtney’s simple elegance highlights their personal conflicts. Algy’s clumsy, valet-like presence serves as a recurring, unintentional point of humor and friction during these social gatherings.

The race against rivals The men engage in a high-stakes race across desert trails to secure mining options, utilizing automobiles to outrun corporate competitors. This sub-plot culminates in a tense chase where the rivals are forced off the road, allowing the group to proceed unchallenged.

The blizzard and the canyon The group faces physical danger during a storm in the mountains, followed by a trip to the Grand Canyon where the party’s differing levels of courage are exposed. Mrs. Alexander’s vanity is humbled by the scale of the landscape, while the younger members grow closer through shared adversity.

The final arrival Upon reaching Los Angeles, the group reunites to celebrate their successful business maneuvers and the survival of their long, taxing journey. The story ends with the promise of future travel, as the friends receive news that more companions are arriving to join them.

The People

Polly and Eleanor serve as the moral and practical centers of the group. They are observant and capable, often mediating conflicts and providing a grounding influence for the more volatile adults. They view the trip as an adventure in self-discovery and freedom from the rigid constraints of Eastern society.

Mr. Dalken is the group’s primary strategist and financier. He is a man of "Big Business" who nevertheless finds solace in religion and maintains a paternalistic yet affectionate role toward his young charges. His primary goal is to ensure the success of his South American mining venture, which stands in constant jeopardy from corporate rivals.

Mrs. Alexander is the antagonist of the party's social peace. Driven by a desperate need for external validation, she uses her husband’s money to assert status, yet finds herself constantly frustrated by the group's refusal to cater to her whims. She ends the journey largely unchanged, still clinging to her superficial displays of wealth.

Algy, the valet, exists as a foil to the group’s independence. He is defined by his vacuity and his subservience to Mrs. Alexander, whom he serves like a "pet dog." His inability to think for himself or navigate the West successfully stands in stark contrast to the intelligence and initiative shown by Jack and the girls.

In Its Own Voice

“I only wish we were back in Buenos Aires—they never make such a deafening racket there,” added Jack, frowning, as a pushcart owner bawled his wares directly back of the young dandy’s ear.

This complaint from Jack marks the group's initial frustration with the chaotic energy of New York before they depart for the West.

“Can you dress hair stylishly?” “Do you wash and mend laces neatly?” “Are you experienced in manicuring?” “and in preparing the bath?”

Mrs. Courtney asks these questions of a local woman in Denver, highlighting the humorous gap between her high-society expectations and the realities of the frontier.

“It may not look it, but I will admit that I often find time to go to church, and more times than I will tell you or the world, I find a verse or a bit of advice in the Bible that does me a lot of good.”

Mr. Dalken offers this candid reflection on his internal life, revealing a surprising depth of character behind his business-focused persona.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the navigation of identity—both personal and national—in a rapidly changing landscape. The book contrasts the rigid, performative social structures of the Eastern elite with the pragmatic, democratic, and sometimes harsh realities of the American West. There is an underlying argument that one’s character is tested not by their possessions or status, but by their ability to adapt to new environments and maintain grace under pressure. Furthermore, the book explores the tension between the pursuit of "Big Business" and the desire for genuine human connection, suggesting that the most successful individuals are those who, like Mr. Dalken, can balance professional ambition with a strong, quiet moral compass.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical travelogues or lighthearted social comedies will find this a charming, if occasionally slow-paced, window into a bygone era. The prose is warm and descriptive, offering a vivid sense of the Southwestern landscape as it appeared in the early twentieth century. However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes, particularly regarding the depiction of servants and the class-conscious dialogue. The valet Algy, in particular, represents a trope of the "vapid foreigner" that was common in the fiction of the time.

What stays with you is the sense of movement and the evolving maturity of the younger characters. While the business sub-plots can be dense and the dialogue occasionally stylized, the core appeal lies in the relationships between the friends. It feels like a long, dusty, and ultimately rewarding road trip. If you are drawn to stories about groups of people learning how to look after one another while surrounded by the vastness of the American wilderness, this book offers an engaging and gentle journey that rewards a patient reader with a sense of camaraderie that transcends the page.