242 EARLY DAY STORIES. 



the tow would set the shavings afire. We never used to 

 worry about the fire going out — it was easily remedied if it 

 did. It was not inconvenient in those days to do without 

 matches, because we knew nothing about them. 



For lighting the houses, the firelight from the big fire- 

 place, and tallow candles, either those known as "tallow dips" 

 or those cast in candle moulds, were the only lights used. 

 "Tallow dips" were made by dipping the cotton wick into 

 melted tallow, and repeating the operation until sufficient 

 tallow adhered to form a candle. I said those just named 

 were the only lights used, and in general this was true, but 

 lamps that burned either whale oil, or sunflower seed oil 

 were used to some extent by those who could afford it. 

 Later burning fluids of different kinds came into use, but 

 candles continued to be the main stay until kerosene was 

 introduced. 



Among the amazing changes that have taken place in 

 the last seventy-six years are the laws and regulations re- 

 lating to our postal facilities. Going back seventy-six years 

 we find that the postal laws enacted by congress in 1816 were 

 still in force. Under these laws, to send a letter weighing 

 a half ounce 30 miles or less cost 6^4 cents, over 30 miles 

 and under 80 it cost 10 cents, over 80 miles and under 150 

 it cost 12y2 cents, over 150 miles and under 400 it cost 18^ 

 cents, and over 400 miles 25 cents. In the year 1845 con- 

 gress changed the postal laws as follows: For a letter 

 weighing a half ounce 300 miles or under, 5 cents, over 300 

 miles 10 cents. There were no postage stamps or envelopes. 

 Letters were marked "paid" or "due" as the case might be, 

 as under the laws then existing the postage could be prepaid 

 or collected at the end of the route. Postage stamps and 

 envelopes did not come into use until the year 1852. Letter 

 paper was made in double sheets, on three pages of which 

 the letter could be written, the fourth p: f;e being left blank, 

 ^nd it was then so folded that a part of the blank page 



