Mohave County miner., 1911-03-11
The PrOsPeCtOr
 And The Pay Streak.
The growth of the pay streak.

Jldb ROlO SFOhS, anu ldug mluluS men claim that the statement is a cor rect one, although there is a great diversity of opinion on this subject among those who claim to be posted anent geological matters and the chemical and physical conditions which result in the deposition of the precious metals in veins and Assures. We leave this matter for their con- sideration, and will take up the ques- tion of the grow tn of the pay-streak, of the new-found deposit of rich ore which, from a streak of from one or two inches, attains the magnificent size of two or four feet in week, in a month, and always during the absence of its owner.
 More than one instance can be cited in the west where a prospector, de- veloping his claim, has uncovered a small seam of rich ore in its workings.
 Trembling with excitement he gathers picked samples from the new find and starts for the nearest town with his treasures. Before going a mile the pay-streak has widened from one to four inches, (in his mind.) By noon his little bonanza vein has widen ed to six inches. He is fully satisfied that this is true. Arriving at his destination he shows his samples to his friends and tells them that the pay streak is foot in width. By morning he has two feet of this class and charac- ter of ore. His friends are enthusias- tic over his find, which by night has gained in dimensions so that a yard stick would hardly take in its magni tude,-to make a showing in the morn . ing of four feet or more.
 The prospector is happy and he firmly believes the story that lie is tell ing. And some of his acquaintances believe him. and, to such an extent that they are willing to pay him a fancy figure for share in his find. Finally the deal is consummated. The new cO-owners, with provisions and supplies, leave for the scene of the new strike. On the way back the prospector begins to feel troubled. Suppose the vein is not quite as wide as he has stated, and, if this is the case, what will his friends say? Be- fore reaching the mine he does not seem to feel as cheerful as when he set out, and he begins to lag behind the party; and, as the portal of the short tunnel is approached he feels a tugging at his throat. His knees feel shaky and he notices pain in the re- zion of his heart. His illusions have flown one by one and he knows that he is now face to face with the reality of cold facts. If he were a hundred miles away he would feel much better, and he realizes fully the dreadful mis- take he has made when his compan- ions enter the tunnel and find that his four-foot vein of high-grade ore has dwindled down to one inch. Their wrath and fury is not abated in the least when he ventures the feeble ex- planation that he thought it was so.
 As matter of fact, the prospectOr was really honest in his beliefs. He was not q natural born liar, and he had no real intention of deceiving his friends. His action was a natural one The wish was the father of his thought, and it was as natural for him to exag- gerate his possessions as it is for every mining man to pick out the very choicest specimen in his mine to show 10 his friends; and ther9 are many who judge the value of a mine from picked specimens in their possession.
 There is an overwhelming demand in this western country for good mines and prospects, but the demand exceeds the supply. Experts, In the employ of capitalists, of syndicates, are daily securing the country for bonanzas- and many are found-but, h a majority of cases, upon careful and intelligent examination Of reported new finds of fabulous wealth it is found that they exist only in the imagination of the hard-working but too enthusiastic prospector.
 But we forgive hIm. It is his fail ing,-a fault that creepS out in trans actions in every line of business, in