The Automobile Girls at Chicago

In Short

This brisk piece of 1912 juvenile fiction follows a trio of resourceful "Automobile Girls"—Barbara, Mollie, and Grace—as they visit wealthy friends in Chicago. Their arrival is marked by a train accident that sets the stage for a series of mysteries, including the survival of a historic estate called Treasureholme. Part social comedy and part light detective story, the narrative captures a specific era of early motor-car enthusiasm and Gilded Age anxiety. It endures as a charming, time-capsule portrait of early twentieth-century American girlhood and the optimism of the motor age.

The Story

The story begins with a jolt as Barbara Thurston, traveling by rail to Chicago with her friends Mollie and Grace, awakens to overhear a menacing conversation in the next berth. Before she can process the threat, the train suffers an accident caused by faulty track work. Demonstrating remarkable poise, Barbara rescues her injured friend, Grace, from the wreckage. Upon arrival in Chicago, the girls are greeted by their friend Ruth Stuart and her father, who whisk them away in their beloved, puffing red automobile, "Mr. A. Bubble."

The girls are soon introduced to the Presby family, who own a grand, sprawling estate known as Treasureholme. The family is in deep distress, as their patriarch, Richard Presby, faces ruin due to a mysterious "bear market" maneuver targeting his finances. As the girls spend their days touring, attending the opera, and exploring the grounds of the old estate, they discover that Treasureholme is not only threatened by poverty but also haunted by secret passages and rumors of hidden wealth.

The investigation takes a turn when the girls explore the attic and secret tunnels of the mansion. Barbara and Mollie experience terrifying, inexplicable disappearances within the house’s hidden cavities, only to be rescued by the mysterious Bob Stevens, who is also searching for the family treasure. Amidst these puzzles, Barbara begins to connect the threats against the Presby estate with the voices she overheard on the train. She realizes that a former clerk named Nathan Bonner is the "master brain" orchestrating the financial collapse of both Mr. Presby and Mr. Stuart.

The climax arrives when Barbara confronts Bonner directly at his office. Despite his attempts to dismiss her, her persistence and the evidence she has gathered allow her to expose his scheme to Mr. Stuart. While the recovery of the "treasure" proves to be a modest, symbolic find—an old watch—the true victory is the stabilization of the families' fortunes. The narrative concludes on a note of triumphant friendship and holiday cheer, as the girls look back on their harrowing and adventurous winter as a defining experience of their young lives.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Barbara awakens in a Pullman berth to hear a sinister plot being hatched by two men in the dark. The tension is immediately broken by a train wreck, forcing Barbara to act with bravery to save her friends.

Arrival in the city The girls reunite with Ruth Stuart and her father, transitioning from the trauma of the accident to the excitement of Chicago. Their bond is cemented through shared laughter and the joy of touring in a classic, temperamental automobile.

The mystery of Treasureholme The setting shifts to the grand but troubled Presby estate, where the girls learn of a looming financial catastrophe. They begin to explore the house’s dusty corners, setting off a search for hidden secrets.

Vanishing in the attic A series of frightening disappearances occurs during an "attic party," as the girls become trapped in secret passages. This development shifts the tone of the book into an urgent, atmospheric mystery.

The confrontation Barbara takes the initiative to track down the man she believes is behind the financial ruin of her friends. By confronting the antagonist, she secures the information necessary to save the families.

Resolution of the conflict The families are saved from ruin, and the girls celebrate a peaceful, festive Christmas together. The various puzzles of the estate are laid to rest, concluding the adventure with a sense of security and renewed purpose.

The People

Barbara "Bab" Thurston is the engine of the story. Driven by a fierce sense of loyalty and a refusal to be intimidated by danger, she evolves from a mere traveler into a deliberate, investigative force. Her bravery during the train wreck and her persistence in confronting the villain anchor the plot.

Ruth Stuart serves as the group's spirited, confident driver. She possesses an unwavering love for her automobile and a reckless but skilled approach to navigating the streets of Chicago, providing the girls with their primary means of movement.

Richard Presby is the proud, stubborn patriarch of Treasureholme. Burdened by pride and gout, he is initially oblivious to the true causes of his financial decline, eventually relying on the girls' sharp observations to find his way back to stability.

Nathan Bonner acts as the story's antagonist. A vengeful, former employee of Mr. Stuart, he uses his knowledge of market speculation to ruin his former benefactors. His cold, calculating nature stands in direct opposition to the warmth and sincerity of the girls.

Olive Presby serves as a bridge between the girls and the mysteries of her family home. Her emotional journey—moving from the fear of losing her childhood heritage to the relief of its preservation—reflects the stakes of the girls' quest.

In Its Own Voice

"I tell you I'll crush him! I'll crush them both. I'll make beggars of them!"

This is the chilling, overheard threat that sets the mystery in motion during the train ride.

"The radiator had been badly bent, the forward axle had buckled, guards were smashed, the hood was damaged, in short, Mr. Bubble presented a most disreputable appearance."

The author provides a vivid description of the aftermath of a minor accident involving the girls' cherished red automobile.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the intersection of traditional domestic life and the rapid, modernizing world of the early twentieth century. The "Automobile Girls" are symbols of a new generation: they are mobile, active, and capable of navigating spaces—both physical and financial—that were once considered the domain of men. The story argues that the values of friendship, courage, and intuition are the true "treasure" worth preserving. It touches upon the fragility of wealth and social standing, showing that even a grand estate like Treasureholme is vulnerable to the shifting winds of the market and the malice of individuals. Ultimately, it is a testament to the idea that young women can, through sheer force of will, influence the outcomes of adult problems.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical atmosphere and the "gals-on-the-go" spirit of early twentieth-century fiction will find this book quite rewarding. It is a light, fast-paced read that captures the enthusiasm for early motoring, where cars were treated like temperamental pets. The language is of its time, full of earnest, slightly melodramatic turns of phrase that provide a charming, period-accurate texture.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the limitations of the era. The dialogue can be quite stilted, and the attitudes toward class and social hierarchy are very much embedded in the 1912 worldview. Furthermore, the plot relies heavily on the "damsel in distress" trope, even as it tries to make the heroines active participants in the rescue. It is not a complex psychological drama, but rather an innocent, high-spirited adventure. It stays with you as a vivid snapshot of how a previous generation imagined independence for young women—a world where a stolen car ride or a secret tunnel exploration was the height of rebellion, and where the moral compass of a girl could indeed save a family from ruin.