The Alaska prospector., 1904-08-04
What is 6 First-CIass pros,ecto-

or the tramp initlnct, or the love for nature?
 In studying the man of the hills we find all four, but the mos: com men Is the desire for wealth. Can everyone make good prospec,or who has that characteristic? No. All humanity i.as that point. There are but few lirst-class prospec.ors. Why.
 There are many qualifications that are requisite, as in any other calling. l will confess there is no other calling where "The Fool for Luck" IS more often and more for. cibly shown and where more s,rik- ing examples can be found. It is these instances that start new men in the field.
 Like every other calling the first attribute and the foundation is honesty. There is something abou, mining and minerals that SD many think it is so excusable to deceive others about. There are several kinds of dishonest prospectors. First the genuine out.and-out dis honest man who is in it to deceive. He never makes a success, but al- ways makes living, as there are always some to believe him. am sorry to say there a number of that class of men prospecting. They are disgrace to the calling, but they stay in it, for it gives them an easy way for living. Second tie man who was honest in the general ethics of business, but who when he got into mining sees so much of the shady work going on that he is contaminated and practices some himself. Third, the honest man whose immagination or enthusi- asm is stronger than his judgment. How many of us have seen thls man. He really does about as much real damage and gets the blame for dishonesty. Hundreds and hundreds of mining men have gone on wild goose chase or cap- ital has sent an expert to make an examination on the tale told by tho mistaken honest prospector. Fourth, the thoroughly reliable prospector, and am sorry to say there are not as many in this class as there should be. But taking number four as foundation, he must be something more as in any business. The man who has that quality us his only asset does not make more than mere living. It is necessary for him to have push and energy. He must be physi- cally able to endure hardships, especially if he is going to do any prospecting in Washington or Alas ka. He cannot be easily discour- aged, for it is strenuous life" and it is fatal to get "cold feet" The "hopc" that is in the hu- man heart that pushes men through untold trials and hard ship. never giving up until death claims them, must be strong in a good prospector. There are great possibilities ever before him, but there is much to discourage, and without that "hope" which makes him think "I shall get it next time," the mountains would hold their treasure for ages. He not only hopes he will strike it next season, but he knows he will. But there is yet something else neces- sary for our man to have to be the kind that a thorough mining man will send out. Intelligence. How important in any branch, and just as valuable to prospector as to one in any calling to be able to see important features of country; to size up a situation; to know where and how to act; to be able to weigh a situation; to see conditions and figure out their effect on the out come. One man will go into a country where a new strike is