Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-07-18
THE MAN
AND THE
BEAST
Bill Observation-Disclosures
Writes of the PrOSpect0r
and the Burr0

two Rgures--a man and beast. Though
in seeming contrast with the glories Of
nature as here outlined in towering
cliff, quakenasp grove, pine-encom-
passed glade and smiling valley, yet
to we who know the west the picture
would not be complete without. To
these two the world owes its material,
lasting wealth. without them cities
would never have been built--solitude
would still brood over vast areas Of
lusty landscape, unbroken save as the
eagle called to his mate before their
advent. They have brought employ
ment and prosperity to countless thou
sands-establishe commonwealth and
influenced and Oft times controlled the
destiny Of nations-these two. The
twin giants Of manufacture and com
meree but await their nod, and behind
them are massed the conquering ar
mics Of labor. Behold the prospector
and his burro-the man greater than
a king because he creates, and the
beast his patient and faithful helpmate
and friend.
There is snow in the mountains-
plenty, in the gulehes and timber
which, in response to the summons of
kindly sun, is starting hourly on its
long journey to the sea. But plain and
foothill are ablaze with bloom and ram.
pant verdure, and crest and slopes are
bare. Natures treasure vaults are
open once more to him whose practical
eye holds the loey-the prospector who,
with his four-footed comrade, taxes up
again that never-ending quest which
fans and keeps alight the financial
fires Of the world. Life as we know II
interests him but little; for months he
may never see the face Of his kind.
IL is the isolation of the wilderness
he seeks--the unexplored Of which he
is in seareh-the unsupported he would
prove and possess. He is the very per
soniHcation of hope-ever in pursuit of
that flckle goddess whose favors are
given to so few. Years may elapse
without lucky strike--oft times life
time of privation and patient endeav'
or without reward. But there is still
the will.o '.the-wisp of anticipation
which ever leads him afar-whieh
makes hardship and disappointmert
mere incidents leading NJ, to a life OF
luxury and success happy through il
all because he lives in land Of pleas
and dreams and close TO nature.
Many people class the miner will
the prospector. This is mistake. The
prospeetor is the pioneer and discover
er-the miner the labOrer who follows
after. The miner is skilled rocl
breaker who works for days wage
in mine already made, and with ev
cry modern appliance and aid at hi
command. There is no element OF
chance in his vocation. He is EN-
ployed only after uncertainty beeome
reality, and his work is merely the
round of a human machine. He mus
lhaye courage, skill and enduranee-th'
which are paid for, however, at 81
much per shift. There Is no pot o
cold at the end Of his rainbow-onl!
stipulated per diem and pay day
But il is the prospeetor who first find
and who with his pick, powder, gad
single lack and drill, develops. His tn
patient eeaseless search for month
and mayhap years-his the task TO rus
tie grubstake while proving the pros
neAt-his the loss II, as too often haI
pens, his pay streak peters out an
nothing is left as the result of his Ia
lhor save a barren hole in the earth
sulphides Of slow starvation-pyrite
of poyerty--a disappointment whie
| 10 others would mean disaster, bu
which TO him is story twice told, an
| which he accepts with fore-ordaine
resignation. Aud II a mine, he seldol
reaps his full rewards but often sell
for a song to him who has and is 500
llbroke and off again into the hills wit
llhis long-eared eomrade--eyer an opt
mist aud more certain OF his 0oleol
da than ever. have often wondere
whence comes this confidence. No OF
ar man has ID. Years Of fruitless to
and effort but bring him nearer q
goal OF ultimate realization. Disa
pointment but serves to whet antieip
II tion--others have, and he viii. Can
be that there abides a real goddess
fortune in gneiss and granite-sister