The Automobile Girls at Newport

In Short

This Edwardian-era juvenile novel follows two sisters, Barbara and Mollie Thurston, who leave their modest village cottage to join their wealthy friend Ruth Stuart on an adventurous automobile tour. As they transition from a simple life to the opulent social circles of Newport, Rhode Island, the girls find themselves caught between tennis matches, balls, and the intrigue of a series of jewel thefts. It is a quintessential period piece that captures the dawn of the automotive age, grounded in the aspirations and moral earnestness of early twentieth-century girlhood.

The Story

The narrative begins in a quiet cottage where sisters Barbara and Mollie Thurston, having earned some extra money, hope to be invited to join their friend Ruth Stuart on a summer trip. Ruth, a girl of means and independent spirit, arrives in her automobile to collect the sisters and their friend Grace, embarking on a journey toward the fashionable resort of Newport. From the start, the girls embrace the freedom of the open road, though they soon encounter the typical mishaps of early motoring, including mud, mechanical trouble, and the necessity of "showing their mettle."

Upon reaching Newport, the girls are thrust into a world of immense wealth, marble palaces, and lavish social events. While the group navigates the social hierarchies of the resort—often clashing with the condescending Gladys Le Baron and her associate, the charming but suspicious Harry Townsend—Barbara begins to notice peculiarities regarding disappearing jewelry. A series of thefts plagues the community, and through a mix of coincidence and keen observation, Barbara becomes convinced that Townsend is a professional thief.

As the girls enjoy the thrills of yachting and tennis, the tension mounts. Barbara’s suspicions are confirmed when she encounters Townsend in various settings, leading to a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse. The climax of their adventure occurs after a frightening automobile accident leaves Ruth and Barbara shaken but resilient, proving their courage to the elite society around them. Simultaneously, the detective work concludes as the girls help uncover the truth about Townsend’s criminal activities.

The social arc of the story mirrors the mystery. Gladys, initially an antagonist, finds herself deceived and abandoned by Townsend after his scheme is revealed. In a moment of vulnerability, Gladys turns to the sisters for support. Barbara and her friends, acting with the generosity they have cultivated throughout the summer, forgive their former rival and welcome her into their circle. The book concludes with the girls having successfully navigated both the physical perils of the road and the moral complexities of high-society life. They leave Newport having matured, their bond with one another solidified by the shared secrets and triumphs of their eventful summer.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Barbara and Mollie Thurston receive a long-hoped-for invitation from Ruth Stuart to join an automobile journey to Newport. The excitement is tempered only by their modest financial situation, which they manage with ingenuity and high spirits.

The social ladder The girls arrive in the resort town and immediately encounter the complexities of social status and wealth. They find themselves navigating the cold reception of their cousin Gladys and the calculated charm of Harry Townsend.

The mystery emerges Barbara observes suspicious behavior at a ball, realizing that the frequent jewel thefts in Newport are not accidents. She begins to quietly track the movements of the man she believes to be responsible.

The accident The group faces a harrowing motoring accident that tests the nerves and physical endurance of both Ruth and Barbara. Their recovery earns them the respect of the Newport elite, cementing their status as "heroines" of the season.

The capture With the help of local authorities and the sharp eyes of the girls, Harry Townsend is unmasked as a professional criminal. The revelation leaves his former associate, Gladys, humbled and seeking reconciliation.

The departure After successfully navigating the drama of the summer, the girls prepare to leave Newport. They depart with a newfound sense of self-assurance and the lasting strength of their friendship.

The People

Barbara Thurston is the core of the group. At sixteen, she is a natural leader and a "tomboy" who is physically courageous and morally resolute. She starts the book hoping for a simple vacation but finishes it as a sophisticated observer who keeps her head in dangerous situations.

Mollie Thurston, two years younger, provides a softer, more intuitive counterpoint to her sister. While initially timid before strangers, her encounter with a "lovely lady" at a concert and her subsequent social successes at the Newport balls reveal a growing confidence.

Ruth Stuart serves as the group's benefactor and driver. She is wealthy, generous, and fiercely loyal to her friends, prioritizing her integrity over the approval of the adults in her social circle. She is the anchor of the group’s independence.

Gladys Le Baron acts as the primary social antagonist. She is initially depicted as "stuck-up" and blinded by her association with the villainous Harry Townsend. Her arc is defined by her fall from grace and her eventual, humbled reconciliation with her cousins.

Harry Townsend is the "Raffles" of the piece—a smooth, debonair, and dangerous man who masks his criminal career behind charming manners. He is the force that tests the girls' maturity and forces them to grow up quickly.

In Its Own Voice

"Barbara Thurston's brown, bright face seemed to twinkle all over, as she clinked a yellow coin on the marble top of the little sewing table."

The story opens with a scene of the sisters celebrating the small fortune they have earned, which sets the stage for their independence.

"I don't believe really nice people care whether young girls are rich or poor, if they happen to like them."

Barbara offers this observation to Mollie as they contemplate their modest status compared to the immense wealth surrounding them at a Newport ball.

"I am not even going to give two such sensible girls doses of aromatic spirits of ammonia," declared the doctor, who had driven over from Mrs. Cartwright's with them and had seen the girls safely in bed.

A doctor acknowledges the resilience of the two girls after they survive a serious accident.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book explores the tension between material wealth and personal character. While the characters are surrounded by the trappings of "golden dollars" and "diamonds," the narrative consistently argues that these things are ultimately superficial. The true value lies in how one behaves when tested—whether by a physical threat, a social slight, or the temptation to join a corrupt social set. It asks the reader to consider the moral weight of their associations, suggesting that true nobility is found in loyalty and kindness rather than lineage or status. The girls’ journey is a metaphor for the transition from the sheltered, small-town life to an adult world where one must discern between "real jewels" and "paste" people.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical period pieces, particularly those interested in the early days of automobile travel and the social landscape of the 1910s, will find much to enjoy here. The prose is warm and earnest, carrying a distinct flavor of its time that will satisfy those looking for a gentle, nostalgic read. It feels like a window into a bygone American summer, filled with the specific, charming details of long skirts, dusters, and the wonder of the first machines to traverse the continent.

However, readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes and the occasional heavy-handed moralizing that was standard for juvenile fiction of the era. The dialogue sometimes leans into the "golly" and "stuck-up" slang of 1910, which may feel quaint or stiff depending on your taste. Furthermore, the plot relies on a certain amount of class consciousness that reflects the era's social boundaries. If you can move past these dated sensibilities, you will find a genuinely heartening story about the bond between girls who refuse to let the cynicism of the adult world dim their own adventurous spirits. It is a light, clean, and ultimately rewarding look at a moment when the world—and the roads—were opening up for women.