The Automobile Girls in the Berkshires

In Short

Following a serendipitous discovery of old business papers, a group of young women embark on a motoring excursion to the Berkshire Hills. The story chronicles their transition from woodland campers to participants in the refined social life of Lenox, Massachusetts. At its core, the narrative centers on their accidental encounter with a reclusive girl living in the wilderness, an event that forces the group to navigate complex family secrets and class dynamics. It remains a time capsule of an era when automobiles symbolized both newfound independence and the romantic thrill of exploration.

The Story

The narrative begins in the rural landscape of New Jersey, where sisters Barbara and Mollie Thurston, alongside their friends, enjoy the freedom of their automobile. A chance discovery of a forgotten debt owed to their late father prompts their benefactor, Mr. Stuart, to arrange a grand excursion to the Berkshire Hills. The group, chaperoned by the formidable Miss Sallie Stuart, plans to spend the early autumn months “roughing it” in a remote mountain log cabin, using their car to navigate the scenic roads while relying on local guides for trail exploration.

Life in the mountains proves far from quiet. While hiking, the girls encounter a young man, Winthrop Latham, and his nephew, Reginald, who are testing experimental airships. This encounter introduces a layer of mystery, as the girls soon cross paths with a mysterious, wild-spirited girl named Eunice who lives in a hidden wigwam with her elderly grandmother. The girls’ initial curiosity turns to genuine concern when Barbara accidentally injures Eunice during a hunting excursion. The incident draws the girls into a web of familial conflict; it becomes clear that Eunice is the illegitimate daughter of Winthrop Latham’s late brother—a scandal the status-conscious Reginald Latham is desperate to suppress.

As the season shifts, the party descends from their mountain retreat to the hotel life of Lenox. The girls immerse themselves in a world of society circuses, equestrian sports, and social calls. However, their focus remains fixed on Eunice’s recovery and welfare. While Reginald attempts to keep the girl hidden to protect the family’s social standing, the girls refuse to be intimidated. They form a protective alliance around Eunice, eventually bringing her into the fold of their circle.

The climax arrives when the girls, acting as advocates for the displaced child, orchestrate a confrontation that forces the truth into the light. Winthrop Latham, moved by the girls’ persistence and his own latent sense of duty, recognizes Eunice as his niece. The resolution is swift and tidy: the Latham family conflict is settled, Eunice is provided for and promised an education, and the girls emerge from their adventure having successfully navigated the disparate worlds of rugged wilderness and elite society. The story concludes with the group moving forward, their bonds strengthened by the challenges they overcame together.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The story opens with the discovery of old business documents that provide the impetus for a trip to the Berkshire Hills. Mr. Stuart organizes the party, arranging for the girls to experience both the rustic independence of a mountain cabin and the social elegance of a Lenox resort.

Into the woods The group settles into their mountain home, where they encounter local legends and the strange, quiet presence of a girl living in a remote wigwam. When an accidental shooting injures this girl, Eunice, the girls take responsibility for her recovery, setting them on a collision course with the ambitious Reginald Latham.

The social shift The transition from the cabin to the hotel in Lenox mirrors the girls' shift from private exploration to public scrutiny. They navigate the demands of society, including horse jumping and social calls, while simultaneously working to protect Eunice from those who would prefer she remain hidden.

The resolution The girls finally bridge the gap between their new friend and her wealthy relative, Winthrop Latham. By refusing to abandon the child to the whims of the skeptical Reginald, they secure a future for Eunice, proving their maturity and loyalty before the story draws to a close.

The People

Barbara Thurston is the optimist of the group, driven by a restless curiosity and a desire to see the world. Her impulsive nature often leads to trouble, but her determination to “do right” by those she encounters allows her to bridge the gap between social classes. Her sister, Mollie, serves as the intuitive heart of the group; she is the first to form a bond with Eunice, perceiving the girl’s loneliness where others see only a social obstacle.

Miss Sallie Stuart acts as the firm, slightly rigid, yet ultimately benevolent guardian. She values social decorum above all else, often fretting over the girls’ behavior, yet she provides the necessary resources and legitimacy for their adventures. Reginald Latham provides the primary friction; he is a cold, calculated man who views Eunice not as a child to be loved, but as a liability to his family’s prestige. His eventual defeat by the girls highlights the contrast between their youthful, earnest morality and his hardened, self-interested cynicism. Eunice herself remains a haunting, ethereal figure throughout most of the book, representing the untamed wilderness and the hidden, often forgotten, history of the mountain.

In Its Own Voice

"Mollie Thurston, we are lost!" cried Barbara dramatically.

The sisters find themselves in a precarious position during one of their early, lighthearted explorations.

"The snakes in these woods are harmless," said Mollie reassuringly.

Mollie attempts to calm her sister’s irrational fears during their initial adventure in the New Jersey wilderness.

"I think, hear and dream of nothing but Indians in the next few weeks."

Ruth captures the atmosphere of the Berkshire Mountains, which are thick with the history and legends of the indigenous populations.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book explores the tension between the freedom of the individual and the rigid expectations of social standing. The girls act as catalysts, moving between the wild, natural world of the "lost" Indian trail and the manicured, exclusive world of Lenox society. The story suggests that true character is forged when one ignores the boundaries set by class or social reputation in favor of personal integrity. It asks whether the "civilized" world is truly superior to the "savage" one, and whether wealth and status are more valuable than the simple, direct connection between human beings.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the classic "girl detective" or "adventure club" genre will find this book quite charming. It captures the specific, golden-hued nostalgia of the 1910s, a period when the automobile was a liberating, magical machine and the American landscape felt vast and full of secrets. There is a genuine, warm camaraderie among the main characters that makes the dialogue feel like a real conversation between friends.

However, a modern reader must be prepared for the period-specific attitudes regarding indigenous people and social class. The characterization of Eunice and her grandmother reflects the limited, often romanticized or patronizing tropes common in literature of that time, which can feel jarring today. The plot also moves with a rhythmic, sometimes leisurely pace that prioritizes social rituals—like tea and riding lessons—over rapid action. Despite these limitations, the book succeeds as a piece of period fiction that values loyalty and pluck. It is best enjoyed by those who appreciate a story where the characters are as interested in their own personal growth as they are in the mysteries of the mountains, leaving the reader with a distinct, pleasant sense of early twentieth-century optimism.