Polly's Business Venture

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25778

Title

Polly's Business Venture

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Polly Brewster and her friends return to America from Europe, only to find their Colorado gold mine destroyed by a landslide. Forced to earn their own way, Polly pivots from a hobbyist collector to a professional antique dealer, launching a business venture in New York with Eleanor Maynard. Blending historical research, adventurous travel, and romance, this classic tale offers an inspiring look at young women finding independence and success in the early 20th century.

Summary up to 500 words

In Lillian Elizabeth Roy's *Polly's Business Venture*, Polly Brewster and her friend Eleanor Maynard return to New York from a European tour, eager to pursue interior decorating as a profession. Their arrival is marked by a wireless message from Tom Latimer, signaling his continued affection despite Polly's dedication to her career. However, their plans are abruptly disrupted by devastating news from Colorado: the Grizzly Slide gold mine, the family's primary income source, has been destroyed by a massive landslide. The disaster not only wipes out the machinery and ore vein but also jeopardizes the ranch's finances, as the venture was mortgaged to support the mining operation. Consequently, the family faces significant financial strain, and Polly's father may be forced to sell the farm. Undeterred, Polly decides to transform her hobby into a profession. She resolves to stop buying antiques for personal enjoyment and instead begins acquiring rare items at country auctions to resell in New York shops. Eleanor immediately joins her as a partner, and the duo embarks on a successful venture. Their first major triumph involves restoring a fine mirror and selling a rare picture to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, clearing several hundred dollars and proving the viability of their new business model. The girls then travel to New Jersey, hunting for Revolutionary War relics. They discover a historic quilt made from scraps of gowns worn by ladies during the era of General Washington, a piece of significant historical value. Throughout the narrative, the story balances the excitement of their collecting adventures with the serious reality of their family's economic situation. The girls navigate the complexities of the antique market, dealing with various collectors and dealers while maintaining their friendship and professional integrity. The plot also explores romantic subplots, particularly Polly's relationship with Tom Latimer, who patiently waits for her in New York. The novel highlights themes of resilience, the importance of friendship, and the pursuit of a professional career for young women, demonstrating that even in the face of financial disaster, determination and ingenuity can pave a new path to success.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25778.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg25778.epub

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2026-07-04 07:17 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction