The box is to be placed where the postman can easily have access to it without whistling or ringing bells. Instead he will unlock the mail-box, take from it all the letters that want mailing, and put in their place those which he has to deliver.
It will be a very pleasant thing to be able to post letters without going off our own doorsteps, but this is only half of the comfort which the new box is going to be to us.
In each post-box will be a special envelope containing blanks, on which the householder can order one and two cent stamps and postal-cards, putting the money to pay for them into the envelope with his order.
The postman collects this envelope with the regular mail, and hands it to a special clerk, who takes out the money, fills the order, and drops the envelope in the mail for the postman to deliver on his next round.
Unstamped letters can also be posted in this very delightful box, and special delivery stamps can be secured by stating on the blank the number of letters that are to be stamped, and enclosing the money for the same in the special envelope.
All unstamped matter is turned over to the clerk who has charge of the envelope department. He buys the stamps, sticks them on, and despatches the letters.
This service is only rendered to people who buy their own boxes.
The post-office does not undertake to furnish them, but only to give good service with them when they are purchased.
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