Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1879 — A Fire That Never Goes Out. [ARTICLE]

A Fire That Never Goes Out.

About three years ago the Observer reported the case of a citizen of Mecklenburg county, N. C., who, having married in 1843, lighted a fire on his hearthstone as soon as he carried his bride to his new home and had kept it burning ever since. The citizen was in town yesterday, and, being questioned about the matter, stated that the fire was still burning, and that throughout all these thirty-six years it had never been allowed to go out. Questioned as to whether or not it made the house uncomfortably hot in torrid weather, he said the extra heat thus generated was not perceptible. In reply to another question, he said that in summer weather, when it was necessary for comfort’s sake to keep the fire burning very low, he had to get up frequently at night to replenish it slightly, but that he counted this as nothing when he contemplated the idea of that fire going out. He has evidently formed for it a strong attachment, and yet one would not take him for a sentimental man. But this fire is to him a constant reminder of the day when he first brougnt home his bride. Around it his children have grown up into manhood and womanhood, and their children have gazed into its lights. It was the last light that fell upon the eyes of his wife, and he hopes that it will be the last that will fall upon his. Viewed thus, his sentiment in the matter can be understood, and so strong is this sentiment that with the old man it amounts almost to a passion.— Charlotte (N. G.) Observer. Bed bnow, which is usually found only in Arctic latitudes, is seen on alofty summit near Mount Stanford in the Sierra Nevadas. For several acres the vast drifts are of a beautiful pinkish tint to the depth of three or four inches. It is a beautiful spectacle. One explanation of it is that myriads of minute organisms cover the surface.