The only source of light in the Kluppeneggerhof were inconspicuous pine chip holders with a piece of pine chip that was as resinous as possible. They came in all sizes. The smaller version could be placed at the table or the larger version could be placed on the floor to provide light when spinning, for example.
People could not afford candles, they were an unaffordable luxury. Pine shavings only provided a weak light, and they also blackened the ceiling. Rosegger read and wrote poems and stories in the flickering and sooty light of the pinewood. Even as a teenager, he suffered from eye inflammation, which had to be treated by the local doctor. As the family were unable to pay for the treatment, the parish priest and head of the parish issued a ‘certificate of poverty’ for Rosegger.