Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 198, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1912 — Old Charcoal Burner. [ARTICLE]

Old Charcoal Burner.

The charcoal burner may still be found, and that within 30 miles of London. This writer knows a charcoal burner who has carried on his ancient trade for 40 years in Surrey and Sussex. You come suddenly upon the piled dome of fine earth on hearth or in woodland and near it is his neatly constructed hut of withes, fem and heather, with its rough corner posts and little door. There he lives during the whole period of the calcining process, keeping a sharp lookout to see that inquisitive passersby do not push an injuring stick into the mound which might result in a sudden burst of flame and the ruin of that particular lot of wood. This ma nis his own master; he knows his markets and ’he makes a decent living. A curious, solitary life —but he knows all about the birds. —London Chronicle.