<h2><i>Postage and Postal Information</i>.</h2>
<br/>
<p class="cen"><i>How to Mail a Letter</i>.</p>
<p class="in">After writing it, place it in a square or oblong envelope—round
ones are no longer fashionable—seal it on the back and write a
legible address on the front; then take a two-cent stamp, give it a
good licking and retire it to the corner—the upper, right-hand
corner, on the outside—never inside, as the postmaster is not a
clairvoyant. Drop it in a letter-box and trust to luck. If it's a
love letter, it will probably reach her all right, for Cupid is a
faithful postman and carries a stout pair of wings. If it's a bill,
by all means have it registered; otherwise, your debtor will swear
he never got it. If it's cash for your tailor, heed the post-office
warning, "Don't send money through the mails." Wait until you happen
to meet him on the street. If he sees you first, you lose.</p>
<br/>
<p><b>First-class Matter.</b></p>
<p class="in">Anything you are ashamed to have the postmaster or postmistress
read, and therefore seal up, is known as first-class matter. Also,
postal cards, where you're only allowed to argue on one side. If you
think your letter should travel slowly, invest ten cents in a
Special Delivery Stamp. This will insure a nice, leisurely journey,
lasting from one to two days longer than by the cheap two-cent
route.</p>
<br/>
<p><b>Second-class Matter.</b></p>
<p class="in">This class was originated for the benefit of Patent Medicine Mixers,
who print circulars on "What Ails You" four times a year, and pepper
the land with "Before-and-after-taking" caricatures, at the rate of
one cent a pound.</p>
<br/>
<p><b>Third-class Matter.</b></p>
<p class="in">While the quack nostrums travel second-class for one cent a pound,
books, engravings, manuscript copy, and works of art have to go
third-class and are taxed one cent for every two ounces. They must
also be left open for inspection, thus affording the post-office
employee a fleeting acquaintance with something really useful.</p>
<br/>
<p><b>Fourth-class Matter.</b></p>
<p class="in">Everything not included in the above, except poisons, explosives,
live animals, insects, inflammable articles, and things giving off a
bad odor. The last two do not include <i>The Police Gazette</i> or <i>The
Philistine</i>.</p>
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