This story was very exciting! It's the first book in the "Christian Heritage Series, The Charleston Years".

The story starts with Austin Hutchinson asking questions. They were traveling through South Carolina in January, and looking at the columns on the buildings. His father, Wesley Hutchinson, was holding his wife's head in his lap as they rode the train. They discussed plantation buildings and Canaan Grove, the plantation they were going to. Austin noticed the edge in his father's voice. His father hated slavery, and the building they were staying in had been set on fire at one time. The train slowed as they entered Charleston, and Austin saw some friends walking together. Austin's brother, Jefferson, decided he wanted to ask questions and was about to have what his mother called a "hissy fit." Jefferson ran down the aisle of the train & hid. Austin pulled him out of his hiding place, returning to their parents. Their mother began coughing. The conductor opened a closet door where a black man was hiding!

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