The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27
I6T cMZZY SHfRT

gard an automobile as necessary to
her happiness and-more than tEat-a
mark Of social distinction. She must
be seen in the latest mode OF locomo-
ton. She no longer stays indoors TO
make lace. but goes out for a spin -
Kill time. Her most important
ambition is 10 become adept in
managing the machine herself. and
this is something Of a gift To drive
an automobile one must have quick
perception. swift decision, good concen-
tration, a level head in all emergencies
and some mechanical genius. You
might have ever so massive a mind,
but be unable to start the wheels of
your mental machinery with lightning
rspidity, in which case you would soon
be in serious trouble-that is if
there happened 10 be a tree just
ahead Il the automobile But money
is the only obstacle TO be considered.
II you have plenty Of that, skill is i'm
material II you have an automobile
fast enough, handsome enough and
heavy enough, you are fairly certain Of
keeping right side up with care, for one
can always hire chauffeurs and there
are not many weak spots in the make
up OF the newest machines.
Some Of our fair San Francisco wo-
men nire their chauffeurs merely to do
the correct thing and not because they
are at the mercy Of intelligences other
than their own. California has already
won distinction for beautiful women
with splendid figures, fine equestri-
ennes. actresses Of note and artists
who have also been great credit TO
Us. Now the Western girl heads the
list Of successful chauffeurs.. The
American girl in general has an ad-
vantage in temperament by inheri -
ance that the Latin races can never
hnpe 70 acquire. Those who have seen
the rashness Of a Paris cab driver and
the consequent disasters viii readily
substsntiate my claim that chauffeurs
like poets-are born, not made.
Miss Sara Drum enjoys the distinc-
ton Of being the .1rst roman in San
-ono o to go about alone in her
machine. She was formerly an enthu-
siast over horses and still has an en-
viable reputation at Burlingame for be-
ing an excellent whip.
Miss Ethel Hager drives her auto
mobile with perfect fearlessness, in
spite Of having broken her arm while
driving a machine last summer
Mrs. p. w. 8IcNear, Mrs.. w H Tay-
Tor and Mrs. Augustus Taylor drive
very well VIII Taylor astonished the
natives recently by waxing out Mrs.
red McNear's one-week-old baby for
a ride. Baby McNear. having been to
the manner born, VIII easily learn 10
drive later on.
Mrs. J. Wilson Shiels takes out her
own machine, and many Of her friends
show their confidence by accompany
ing her.
Miss George Strong OF Oakland is
q bic 70 drive her machine and goes out
considerably.
Miss Bertha Dolbeer, who has had
an automobile for a long time, drives
extremely well herself. but has a pro-
fessional chauffeur, TO be on the safe
side. Miss Dolbeer has just disposed
of her machine. as she viii leave in
April for an extended absence abroad
and viii have a new one upon her re-
turn.
Mrs. Victor Clement, the charming
South African widow, is a picture
however, kaleidoscopic-hyin along in
her brand new Winton touring car.
Mrs. Clement has not learned to guide
the machine and has a driver Her
friend, Mrs. Buffers, who has also spent
some time in South Africa is an en-
thrsiast.
Charlie de Young, who returned or
tuesday for the holidays, brought with
him Charlie Shea Of the Harvard foot
ball team, and is entertaining hi,
guest and other friends in this city By
many automobile drives.
The Schwerins are particularly hos
pitable with their two Wintons and
keep one at Burlingame and the Other
in town.
Automobile parties are the reignine
fad for informal entertainment and are
hailed with delight by those who are
favored with invitations. The number
Of guests is small when the hostes.
uses her own machine. as the touring
cars only hold about five persons bu
when vehicles are hired the number
Of guests is often increased. The after
noon parties are usually composed O.
the fair sex and all stop at the home o
- - errroefs % have .-rs-, Of 90,