The Baraboo news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1884-1911, 1908-08-06

TACT. This telegram is posted in the
post office, and we look forward to the
arrival of the mail within three days
But even with it so near, we are often
disappointed. An earthquake opens
an impossible chasm on the mountain
side, washout tears out sections of
the load, or landslide obstructs the
pain. We, at this end, wait impatient
! ~ for the mail, while the road is re-
built. And even such a work as this is
performed leisurely. We have found
thaC though we pay man but 80 cents
a day for work for which we would be
charged $500 per day at home, it takes
so long, without ingenuity as imple-
mentS, to accomplish the task, that in
The end the cost is much greater then
at home.
When a mail finally reaches the post
Office, it is sorted by countries. Every
letter passes through the hands of one
man. So we need to unwind our spool
of patience somewhat further, before
we see the United States flag floating
over the post office, which announces
that at last that mail is ready to be de-
lievered. Then we can go to the
partado"-or bOX-and receive it.
All mail which is insufficiently ad-
dressed or stamped is held back. The
letter is put into the box three days
later, and by paying cents on each
letter, we can get it. The former is list
ed alphabetically, a week or two later,
in another department of the post office
and If one goes occasionally, to glance
over the lists, he may call for anything
under his name.
The Postoffice building is one of the
finest to be found in BOgota. 1t covers
one-fOurth of blocS is One-story high, !
and, of course, built in the form of a |
hollow square, enclosing a beautiful
garden of trees and flowers. One won
ders what they do with so much room, |
for the rooted space is extensive, but |
whenwe learn that all registered mail,
express, and parcels-post, comes
through this building, we better under
stand the need of many departments |
and numerous clerks.
Mail Sent Under 25 Pounds.
Many things, which in the states we
commonly send by freight, come
through the mail, in Colombia. Even
machinery is so shipped. A machine is
taken into parts and each piece that
weighs under Is pounds, sent through
the mail. Yet sending through the
post, does, not free one from duties nor
express charges, though it certainly
is somewhat cheaper and safer. Mr..
Williams had consignment of chalk
so sent for the College. The cost in
New York City was $1.20. The duties
$500 and the express brought the
total cost up to$12.OO. Even at that
price, the College saved 75% by order.
ing from New York, instead of buying
here.
Parcels sent through the mail are
not safely delivered, either. Of those
which have been sent US from the |
states, we have lost just One-half. Mail
registered in the United States is con-
sidered reasonably safe, but registry !
here is not looked upon as amounting |
to much. In truth, there is less like
lihood of its safe deliverance, as
some one will consider it valuable, if |
registered, and examine it at his |
leisure to confirm his suspicious.
With all the chances, we usually |
have our mail. It may be in punches |
of twenty or thirty letters, and dozen |
magazines from six to eight weeks |
old or it may be strung along through |
out the whole week or possibly, fairly |
regular for a month. But we do get it,
which is the important thing, and for
which we are thankful. It speaks well
for the government land may be said to
be about the only thing that does)
that, with the difficulties to be over.
come here, so little mail is irrecoverably
lost.
MAUDE NEWELL WILLIAMS.
Bogota, Colombia, June %, 08.