HOW BLOCK SIGNALS WORK
Operation of Ingenious System Thai
Insures the Safety of Railroad
Passenger*.
Comparatively few people know
just what is meant by block signals
when they read that a railroad has es
tablished the system on its lines.
The block is a length of track which,
on double track roads, has at its en
trance a post and movable arm, and
on single track lines one at each end.
To say that a 'lne has every inch
protected by this system means that
the entire line is divided into consec
utive blocks. Only one line from Chi
cago to New York is thus protected,
and of the total in the United States,
one-third is on the Union and South
ern Pacific.
The operation of the block system
is simple but absolute. In a few
words, it means that a train cannot
move from one block into the next
until the latter block is empty. As a
train moves forward, the signal arm
is set to show that the block just left
may be entered by the next train
t'ollowirir. When a train enters a
block it so affects the en
ergy that is a part of sig
naling that the sema
phore arm remains hori-
A
1
ill' if
zontal until the block is
vacated, when the arm
automatically drops and
points diagonally toward
the ground. Therefore,
as long as the engineer
sees only drooping sig
nals he can keep on go
ing, but the instant he
finds the arm stretching
out over the track, he
must come to a stop,
knowing that that block is occupied
by another train.
The energy mentioned above is elec
tricity; the current being obtained
from a battery near each post. The
rails of each block are made as if all
of one ! i we by connecting the joints
with wire. The extreme ends are then
connected and thus a circi is formed
in which the current flows. When no
train is in the block, the mechanism
operated by the current pulls the arm
down and holds it there. When a
train enters the block the wheels and
nxles, combined with the rails, form a
shorter circuit, the energy that held
the arm down is withdrawn and up it
swings to a horizontal position. '
Each block is independent of all
other blocks. When the last wheels
of a train leave it, the current re
sumes its flow and the signal arm
at the entrance is pulled down to the
"proceed" position. But before the
hind wheels have finished doing this,
the front wheels of the locomotive
have entered the next block and
caused the arm there to rise to the
"stop."
For a single track line the auto
matic arrangement is the same, but
there is a signal at each end of the
block. To prevent two trains on a
single track line entering a block at
the same time from opposite ends, be
fore the entrance to a single track
block is reached the train sets a stop
signal at the far end of that block,
and as it enters it sets the entrance
signal to stop just as is done on
double track. Half a mile or more
before reaching the entrance signal of
each block the engineer comes to
what is called the "distant," which
tells him how the other or "home"
signal is set.
As the automatic signal is con
structed, it cannot show "go ahead"
unless the entire combination of rails,
wire, current, magnet, etc., is work
ing perfectly. If a wire parts, a rail
breaks, a battery
fails,a switch point \
opens the slightest,
the combinatior
fails and the r«
leased arm re Vt.?\
sumes the horl- 'jV \
zontal position. So, T K \
when ihe engineer \ \
sees i lie stop sig- I \ \
nal, ho knows that j
there may be a | j
train on the block, I j 1 M
an opt n switch, or
a broken rail or
signaling appa- jj,
ratus.
At night colored lights are display
ed on the same posts. The lamps
will burn eight days without replen
ishing, but are refilled every four or
five days. When the home signal is
at stop, the engineer sees the flame
through a red glass. The caution light
on the distant is yellow. A green
lights means go ahead and is used
on both the home and distant signals.
Where two or more lines cross at
grade the general plan of semaphore
arms for day and colored light for
night is the same, but owing to the
complications all signals are con
trolled by levers operated by men
from a central station. The crossing
and contiguous tracks are governed
by the interlocking system. When
this is in perfect order and the cross
ing unoccupied, it displays "stop" to
every track approaching the crossing.
Any change must be made by the sig
nalman, and to display "proceed" he
must first lock all other approaches
with the stop signal.
There are now about 11,000 miles
of railway equipped with the block
system. The only line thus protected
every inch from Chicago to California
Is via the Northwestern, Union and
Southern Pacific. One-third of the
11,000 miles of automatic signaling is
on the Harriman lines—and the North
western has more miles of double
track automatic than any other rail
way.
For the Hostess
Chat on Interesting Topics <rf Many Kinds, by
a Recognized Authority
A Novel Shower.
A dozen girls who lived for years
as neighborhood friends showered one
of their number, who is to be a De
cember bride, in this unusual manner:
The hostess asked them all to meet
at her house informally at two
o'clock, the bride-elect was asked to
come at three. In this way the host
ess explained her scheme, which was
■as follows. She had material for each
one to make the following articles:
A dusting cap. three dusters, a broom
bag, ironing holder, laundry bag, kitch
en apron, clothespin bag, roller towel
and a case to wind linen doilies on.
The entire cost was added and divided
equally and then each article was
wrapped in tissue paper, "tied with rib
bon and hidden throughout the rooms.
When the honored guest arrived, they
chatted awhile, then the hostess an
nounced that a fairy godmother had
confided to her that there were pack
ages of value concealed within the
portals of the room, to be discovered
only by a bride-elect and to the tune
of bridal music. Whereupon the host
ess sat down to the piano and played
wedding marches while the merry lit
tle bride hunted the hidden treasures,
guided by the loud or soft tones on
the piano. All the packages being dis
covered, they were opened and the
girls all set to work on which ever
piece they chose. They pronounced
this a utility "shower," and it certain
ly was practical, for the guest of honor
said her mind was so in the clouds
that she had never even dreamed of
the articles presented. Besides it was
a jolly afternoon. Refreshments were
English toasted mufllns, orange mar
malade, preserved ginger and delicious
tea, brewed by the hostess.
The Golden Wedding.
A fiftieth anniversary to be cele
brated this month is going t6 be o
most beautiful affair. The invitations
are lettered in gold engraving anc'
ask you to arrive between the hour?
of eight and ten. The decoration?
throughout the rooms are to be in
yellow, consisting of showers of gilt
wedding bells, which are to swing
from every chandelier and be sus
pended by yellow tulle and yellow
satin ribbon over the heads of the
couple where they will stand to re
ceive congratulations. This corner is
to be made a perfect bower of greens
studded with yellow cliysanthemums.
Brass candlesticks holding yellow can
dies are to stand on piano, mantel,
bookcases, etc. The honored bride will
carry a bouquet composed of 50 yel
low roses, and the refreshments are to
be orange ice, New York ice cream,
sunshine cake iced with yellow, and
the bonbons are to be wrapped in gill
paper. Gilt bell-shaped boxes are to
be given as souvenirs, bearing the
monogram of the happy pair. The
November stone is the topaz, and it
works up beautifully into seals, with
handle of gold, into watch fobs and
pins. I have seen all these articles
and they will go as gifts to this wed
ding. As every one likes to give a
toast and often people are not pre
pared, there are to be perfectly ex
quisite cards passed to each one to be
read aloud after refreshments. These
cards ate done in gold lettering, with
a mother of pearl inotif worked out
beautifully. The choicest gems of our
best writers are found on these latest
creations. I must admit they are only
postcards, as the reverse side shows.
For want of a better name I call them
Fashion's
On the left is a house gown of Linden green satin with trimming of old
gold velvet and gold buttons.
On the right Is a reception gown of king's blue panne velvet, with trim
ming of Venetian point.
CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1909.
"Sentiment" cards. After the guests
have paid this pretty tribute the cards
are to be collected and putin a box
covered with cloth of gold and pre
sented to the aged couple.
A Guessing Contest.
This clever little stunt was the fin
ale at a shower given for a November
bride. A table was brought into the
room having on it a lot of things, each
one representing a cake; cards were
passed bearing the duplicate numbers
of those on the articles. Great fun
was had in the guessing. Here are
some of the objects, and a hostess
may enlarge the list as she desires: A
sponge (sponge cake), a little toy hen
for "layer cake," a chocolate lozenge
(chocolate cake), two little Cupids
(angel a picture of a bride in
full wedding costume (wedding cake),
a bit of gold and silver gauze or rib
bon (gold and silver cake), etc. For
prizes there were recipe books and
several beautifully decorated cakes.
MADAME MERRI.
CARE OF THE TABLE LINEN
Best Quality Will Quickly Spoil If Not
Handled in the Proper,
Manner.
The careful keeping of table linen
will mean more toward a perfect ta
ble than perhaps the quality of
the linen itself. The most ex
quisite table linen will look no better
than the poorest quality if it be
thrown into a too small drawer or
,iloset.
Just a pair of tablecloths will go
further if they are kept well flattened
or, better still, rolled on a pasteboard
IY wooden roller than a dozen ill-kept
ones.
AU centerpieces. If not rolled,
be spread flat, In a full-sized
box or a 'inen-covered portfolio. The
portfolio is a reliable addition to the
dining room or pantry, and it may be
made at home by covering two pieces
of pasteboard with tan-colored linen
or crash, hinging them together with
coarse linen thread or with narrow
ribbon strips an inch In length, so
that the portfolio will hold more flat
linen pieces." This, when filled, is
tied together with ribbons and kept in
a napkin drawer, where even the sud
den rush for napkins can no longer
wrinkle the embroidered linens.
Skeleton bodies are popular.
There Is quite a fad for opal matrix.
The Japanese wash silks are love
lier than ever.
Foliage colorings abound.
Enormous black cherries are used
on some of the hats.
Coats for girls' suits are plain and
almost straight.
The latest Parisian novelty is the
hand-tucked waist.
Some of the standing collars are
hemstitched around the top.
Belts will match the skirts instead
of the waists this season.
Most of the new crepe blouses are
inset with Irish crochet lace.
Pretty little neck bowS are made of
colored -open-work embroidery.
Swiss embroidery, whether hand
done or machine, gives excellent ef
fects.
NEW STRENGTH FOR WOMEN'S
BACKS.
How to Mako a Bad Back Better.
Women who Buffer with backache,
bearing down pains, dizzy spells and
11 that constant feeling
ES/mF I of dullness and tired
ncss, will And hope
,vOTf advice of Mrs.
Mary Hinson of 21
Strother St., Mt.
WVy H Sterling. Ky. "Had
Yt ' <■ I not used Doan's
I 1 \ trM Kidney Pills, I be
lieve I would not be living today." says
Mrs. Hinson. "My eyesight was poor,
I suffered with nervous, splitting head
aches, spots would dance before my
eyes and at times I would be so dizzy
I would have to grasp something for
support. My back was so weak and
painful I could hardly bend over to but
ton my shoes and could not get around
without suffering severely. Doan's Kid
ney Pills helped me from the first, and
I continued until practically well
again."
Remember the name—Doan's. Sold
by all dealers. 50 cents a box. Foster*
Mllburn Co., Buffalo, N. Y.
THE REASON.
Weary—Gee! I wonder wot dat
dorg bit me on the foot for?
His Friend—l suppose it's cause he
couldn't reach no higher.
Mistake Somewhere.
A story comes from a Kentucky
town that is worth repeating. There
lives there a woman who says that
she has immediate communion with
the Almighty, and now and then de
livers to those of common clay a mes
sage that she has received from on
high. The fact that these messages
sometimes take on a very materialis
tic hue does not alter their effective
ness, in her opinion.
One day she went into the office of
a well known attorney and approached
him solemnly as one about to reveal an
awe-inspiring secret.
"The Lord sent me to you for $25,"
she announced.
The attorney looked up and smiled.
"That must be a mistake," he re
plied, blandly, "because the Lord
knows I have not got It."
Celestial communication was there
upon broken off.
As to the Hessian Fly.
The Hessian fly is a German product
which was conceived In iniquity and
born in sauerkraut. It is a long, rangy
fly with a bite like a steel trap, and It
lays a pale blue, oblong egg at the
rate or 30,000 an hour. The Hessian
fly will eat anything from decayed
custard pie to a glass inkwell, but its
favorite dish is the double neck of a
fat sent. This bird can perform a
two-step on sticky fly-paper without
crooking its toes, and is proof against
rough on rats, the daisy fly killer, and
a strychnine hypodermic. No Hessian
fly was ever known to die of anything
but old age, which accounts for the
color of its whiskers. If it ever fas
tens upon your jowl, it will stay until
removed by the undertaker.—Man
chester (la.) Press.
Looking Brighter.
"Things are looking brighter now,"
says a Billville citizen. "The sheriff
is now my hrcther-in-law, and he won't
levy on my crop; the town doctor
boards with me, and doesn't charge a
cent for tellin' me that if I don't quit
eatin' six meals a day I'll not live to
be a hundred, and last of all, the head
undertaker is my best friend, and has
promised to fix me finally.
"I feel that I don't half deserve
so many blessings, but I've got 'em
and I'm going to hold onto them."—
Atlanta Constitution.
SOME HARD KNOCKS
Woman Gets Rid of "Coffee Heart."
The injurious action »112 Coffee on the
heart of many persons is well known
by physicians to be caused by caf
feine. This is the drug found by cbem
ists in coffee and tea.
A woman suffered a long time with
severe heart trouble and finally her
doctor told her she must give up cof
fee, as that was the principal cause
of the trouble. She writes:
"My heart was so weak it could not
do its work properly. My husbahd
would sometimes have to carry me
from the table, and it would seem that
I would never breathe again.
"The doctor told me that coffee was
causing the weakness of my heart. He
said I must stop it, but It seemed I
could not give it up until I was down
In bed with nervous prostration.
"For eleven weeks I lay there and
suffered. Finally Husband brought
home some Postum and I quit coffee
and started new and right. Slowly I
got well. Now I do not have any head
aches, nor those spells with weak
heart. We ltnow it is Postum that
helped me. The Dr. said the other day,
'I never thought you would be what
you are.' I used to weigh 92 pounds
and now I weigh 158.
"Postum has done much for me and
I would not go back to coffee again
for any money, for I believe it would
kill me if I kept at it. Postum must
be well boiled according to directions
on pkg., then it has a rich flavour
and with cream is fine."
Read "The Road to Wellville," found
in pkgs. "There's a Reason."
Ever read the nlxtvr lettorT A nrn
one anpenr* from time to time. They
■re Renulne, true, and full of human
Interest.
S Th riiM U li| Cbttp )
J J. F. PARSONS' ?
CUBES!
RHEUMATISM!
LUHBiaO, SCIATICA |
NEURALGIA and!
KIDNEY TROUBLEI
taken Internally, rids the blood H
of the poisonous matter and acids which H
are the dlreot causes of these diseases. H
Applied externally It affords almost In- B
■tant relief from pain, while a permanent ■
oure is being effected by purifying the ■
blood, dissolving the poisonous sub- ■
■tanoe and removing It from the system. ■
DR. 8. D. BLAND I
Of Brewton, Ga.. wrltMi ijp
"1 bad been a sufferer for a nnmber of years Kj
with Lumbago and Rheumatism In my arme IH
and lege, and tried all the remedies that I oould ■
gather from medical works, and also oonaulted
with a number of the best pb/slslans. but found H
sjthlnar that gav* the relief obtained from Ml
"t-DROPB." 1 shall prescribe It In my praoUos H
Cor rhsumatttm and kindred diseases.*' |p
FREE!
If yon are suffering with Rheumatism, Bj
Neuralgia. Kidney Trouble or any kin* 1
dred disease, write to us for a trial boule ■
of "I-DROPS," and test It yourself. H
"•-DROPS" can be used any length of Br
Um# without acquiring a "drug habit." ■
aa It is entirely free of opium, oocaine. E
aloohol. laudanum, and other similar t
ingredients. .4.
-Ksra ztsrzzzL™ |
gWAIMM IHtOSATIO OUR! OOSPAIY.g
Baft U. lit Lake Stra.t, H
n mm n ■■■n Gives TOO the reading matter I*
112 n& no me r&pOP Which you have the creates in
——— i■ i ——- ... terest —the home news. Itseverv
Issue will prove a welcome visitor to overy member of the family- U
should head your list of newspaper and periodical subscriptions.
G.SCHMIDT'S.^
FO*
J gopdlar
t—, #
CONFECTIONERY
DaflV Delivery. All °rd«r« given prompt and
skillful attention.
Enlarging Your Business
If you are In annually, and then carefully
business and you note the effect it has in in«
want to make creasing your volume of busi» ,
more money you ness; whether ft io, so or
50 I
B will read every P er cen * increase. If you
word we have to watch this gain from year to
Bay . Are you y°u will become intensely in-
HI Hia spending your terested in your advertising,
O gfffl money for ad- * n d how you cm make it ea»
Egg tej| vertising in hap- large your business.
V H hazard fashion If you try this method wo
Wn as if intended believe you will not want to
for charity, or do you advar- let a single issue of this paper
tise for direct results? goto press without something
Did you ever stop to think from your store,
how your advertising can be k® pleased to havo
made a source of profit you call on us, and we will
you, and how its value can be tßke in explaining
measured in dollars and our annu al contract for so
cents. If you have not, you many inches, and how it can be
are throwing money away. used in whatever amount that
Advertising is a moderm « eems ne-essary to you.
business necessity, but must If you can sell goods over
be conducted on business the counter we can also show
principles. If you are not you why this paper will best
satisfied with your advertising serve your interests when you
you should set aside a certain want to reach the people of
amount of money to be spent this community.
JOB PRINTING
A can do that class just a
little cheaper than the other fellow. Wedding invitations, letter heads, bill heads,
sale bills, statements, dodgers, cards, etc., all receive the same careful treatment
—just a little better than seems necessary. Prompt delivery always.
If you are a business man,
did you ever think of the field
of opportunity that advertis
irg opens to you? There ia
almost no limit to the possi
bilities of your buainess if you
•tudy how to turn trade into
your store. If you are not get
ting your share of the business
of your community Hurt's m
reason. People go where they
are attracted where they
know what they can get and
how much it is sold for. If
you make direct statements ia
your advertising see to it that
you are able to fulfill every
promise you make. You will
add to your business reputa
tion and hold your customers, i
It will not cost as much to run
your ad in this paper as you
think. It is the persistent ad
vertiser who gets there. Have
something in the paper every
issue, no matter how small.
We will be pleased to quote
you our advertising rates, par
ticularly on the year's busi
ness.
fc* I I Hiagq
MAKE YOUR APPEAL
9 to the public through the
SzL columns of this paper.
With every issue it carries
its message into the homes
and lives of the people,
Your competitor has his
store news in this issue. Why don't
you have yours? Don't blame the
people for flocking to his store.
They know what he haa.
3