Courage To The End

By Mildred Lopez

“Courage To The End” is a historical fiction eBook and paperback. A very interesting story that took place in nineteenth century England.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mildred Lopez
• Release date: May 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463610459

Mildred Lopez

Mildred Lopez is the author of “Combating Fear”, a nonfiction eBook. The story is a true happening in her life, a strange and suspenseful time when she faced anxiety and fear all rolled, in one frightening experience. Her second book “Courage To The End” is a historical fiction eBook and paperback. A very interesting story that took place in nineteenth century England. She has been a piano player and music tutor, school stage play director, business and ESOL coach, boarding mistress. She started her writing late due to her other commitments and does her best writing and gets inspiration, when travelling with her husband. She is now writing her third book to educate and inspire her readers. When she is not frightening her readers with her writing, she is cooking and baking, for her husband and relatives, who look out for her delicious dishes.

Book preview

COURAGE TO THE END

MILDRED LOPEZ

Published by Mildred Lopez

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise be copied for public or private use, other than for ‘fair use’ as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews, without prior written permission of the publisher.

The information given in this book is for your enjoyment. It has been based on a real-life incident and all other information is fictional.

Dedication

Thanks to my loving husband who has given me the encouragement to fulfil my dream as an author.

Contents

Introduction

The Birth of a Child

A Dreadful Evening

Early Years

One Wilful Act

The Verdict

Newgate Prison

Life at Newgate Prison

Released from Prison

Onboard Lady Juliana

Norfolk Island

Life in Sydney

A Life-Changing Experience

Sophie as the Adopted Daughter

Sophie has a Life

Courtship Days

Sophie finds her Purpose in Life

Introduction

This book is a fictional story based on a true-life incident.

Let us turn the pages back in time to the 18th century, when London was quite a different place, from the present London, as we know it today in the 21st century.

There were two kinds of lifestyle, the well-to-do and the poor class. The overcrowded city was dirty and noisy. The scarcity of housing was another dire problem that the city faced. Owing to this, most of the populace was poor and lived in single rooms. There were many homeless as, well. Only a handful of families could afford to live in two bedrooms. The standard of life and the living condition was deplorable during that period.

Many children were orphans and roamed the streets. A large number of children died before they could turn two. The limited supply of fresh-water, poor quality of food and malnutrition were the cause of babies dying in infancy. Improper waste disposal and sewage systems caused the outbreak of infectious diseases like smallpox, tuberculosis, cholera, and typhoid that claimed the lives of many Londoners.

Waste was dumped into the river Thames causing it to become noxious and leaving the Londoners faced with miasma. Unwholesome air filled the atmosphere, which was extremely polluted. To prevent the stench from entering the homes, people had to cover their windows with heavy drapes. Diarrhoea was another cause of infant deaths that occurred annually. Families had severe issues about impure water and contaminated food.

The 1800s introduced the age of the machinery. Workforce replaced the machines, so many employees lost their jobs, leaving them homeless. There was no assistance from the government for the unemployed. Laws and regulations were not in place, and the city dwellers suffered a great injustice. Poverty and crime were prevalent, and some faced harsh punishment that was not befitting to the crime. One-third of the Londoners, during the Victorian era, lived in poverty at some level or the other.

Sophie had told the truth, and so her life changed forever!

The Birth Of A Child

The summer of 1771 was an excellent occasion for Hubert and Rosemary. She dressed in a simple white gown without any frills. He was in everyday attire, black trousers, and a full-sleeve shirt. They were poor, but happy, very much in love, that was all that mattered. They exchanged a silver band and pronounced their vows. Witnessed by a hand-full of friends and relatives.

They started their life as a couple, and lived in a single room, in the city of London. They were simple folks who had a robust experience but somehow managed to make a living. Hubert was a chimney sweeper, and Rosemary was a housewife, who also mended clothes in her spare time. They were both very fortunate to be employed, during those years when London was facing bad times.

Hubert, a gangly nineteen-year-old, had a stubborn temperament and was addicted to alcohol, which made him bad-tempered and a pessimist. Struggling with his addiction, he could never see the positive side of any situation. His negativity was the cause of frustration within himself and his arguments with his family.

Rosemary, on the other hand, was younger by two years, slim in stature, with a personality that complemented her husband. She was hard-working, honest and reasonable. Her positive attitude brought about a calm and graceful temperament. Continually sewing and mending clothes, for her livelihood, had given her patience and made her a woman of strength and character.

Soon after they were married, Sophie the eldest, of four children, was born. She was a frail child, with big bright eyes, which displayed a cheerful, confident nature. Her blond hair fell in ringlets down to her shoulders. She had a winning smile that captivated anyone, but her unreasonable mannerisms, often caused her to be moody.

Rosemary and Hubert could not afford schooling for Sophie. She spent her time, following her mother around the home, doing little household chores. Cleaning and keeping the place tidy, wasn't a huge task, as it was just two rooms. Learning to sew and mend clothes was her favourite pass-time activity. Mum got busy teaching her life skills and preparing her for the future.

Andrew, her brother, came three years later and was an adorable child. He resembled his father with dark brown hair and a swarthy complexion. Sophie was thrilled to have a little brother with whom she could play. Two years later, Rosemary gave birth to identical twins, Lisa and Alice. They were similar to Sophie, with bright eyes, curly hair and a fair complexion.

Sophie now had a lot to do. She was required to look after her younger siblings and assist mum in taking care of them. Her gentle nature is tested when they refused to listen to her. When she lost her temper, things would get out of control, and mum had to intervene. An interesting incident took place, one Friday afternoon in May, when Sophie and Andrew got into an argument, over a minor issue.

'You better listen to me Andrew, or else.'

'What