Mrs. Clinton

Mrs. Clinton by Louis Becke (1887)

The narrative unfolds aboard the transport ship _Breckenbridge_, where a group of fever-stricken convicts and military personnel face dire circumstances during a voyage to Australia. The ship's master, Belton, grapples with the death toll rising among the passengers, while the ship's surgeon, Williams, struggles to care for the sick, including Lieutenant Clinton, who is on the brink of death. Clinton's wife, Marion, and their infant child are also in peril, with the baby’s health deteriorating rapidly. As the situation worsens, a convict named Adair emerges as a figure of support, assisting the surgeon and providing comfort to the dying officer and his family. Tensions rise when Jacob Bolger, a government official, confronts the surgeon about Adair's presence, revealing his disdain for convicts and his desire to control the situation. Bolger's aggressive demeanor and ulterior motives become apparent as he attempts to manipulate Marion into a promise of marriage in exchange for silence regarding the convicts' escape plans. Amidst the chaos, Adair and a group of convicts plot their escape, taking advantage of the ship's weakened state. Marion, desperate to save her child and influenced by Bolger's threats, ultimately decides to assist Adair by providing him with her husband's pistols. The convicts successfully escape into the fog, while Marion, in a moment of despair, jumps overboard with her baby, leading to her tragic drowning. The narrative shifts to the aftermath of the escape, where Adair and the other convicts navigate their newfound freedom. They encounter challenges but ultimately find refuge on Montagu Island, where they bury Marion's child and plan their next steps. Adair's leadership and the loyalty of his companions are tested as they adapt to their new environment. As time passes, Marion's survival becomes a focal point. Rescued by a whaling ship, she begins to recover, and her relationship with Adair deepens as they navigate their shared trauma and the complexities of their situation. The story explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the struggle for redemption against a backdrop of societal constraints and personal loss. Ultimately, the narrative culminates in a sense of hope as Adair and Marion find a path forward together, leaving behind their pasts and embracing the possibility of a new life. The story concludes with a sense of resolution, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

By Louis Becke · First published 1887 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure · 2 chapters · 7,306 words

First lines

As the sun set blood red, a thick white fog crept westward, and the miserable fever-stricken wretches that lay gasping and dying on the decks of the transport _Breckenbridge_ knew that another day of calm -- and horror -- waited them with the coming of the dawn on the morrow.

Twenty miles away the dark outline of the Australian shore shone out green and purple with the dying sunshafts, and then quickly dulled again to the sombre shades of the coming night and the white mantle of fog.

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Mrs. Clinton is listed on Textopian as a short story by Louis Becke, dated 1887 CE.

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Biographical Fiction · Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction · Novel · 19th Century Literature · American Literature · Feminist Themes · Social Commentary · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Class Conflict · Power Struggles

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