Underground Railroad subject of latest book club read

The St. Charles Heritage Center Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5 in the Carnegie Room at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. The book will be "Escape Betwixt Two Suns" by Carol Pritle. This book relates the true tale of the Underground Railroad in Southern Illinois. Escape follows the story of Susan "Sukey" Richardson's escape from slavery on the Underground Railroad and the involvement of her owner's neighbor William Hayes. Pritle uses letters sent to Hayes, trial transcripts from the Hayes' civil trial, and newspaper articles to tell a story that until now had remained untold.

On March 2, they will discuss "Stories of Chicago" by George Ade. This book is a compilation of over 50 short stories that were written by Ade and appeared in the Chicago Record between 1893-1900. These stories are energetic, detailed and affectionate slices of the social life in Chicago in the "Gay Nineties." They range from candid character sketches and snapshots of everyday street scenes to fiction and fantasies drawing on the endless stream of inspiration the bustling city provided. Accompanying these lively tales are drawings from John T. McCutcheon and others.

For information on the book club, contact Natalie at the Heritage Center, (630) 584-6967.