Gilpin observer., 1912-09-26
THE pRospEcroH
AND HIS BURRo.
(salt Lake Mining Review

(Sat Lake Mining Review.)
"A bobtail flush is nothing to what
the tenderfoot prospector will put
over on the veteran miner, once in
WHILE" said the prospector to his
'burro. "The old-timer who is long on
information, even II he thinks he
has four aces in his hand, Is often
beaten to a finish by the young fel-
low who drifts into camp with mine
sample bag in one hand, a mandolin
in the other, while crop-tailed dog
follows in his rear. The old fellows
in the camp wag their heads when
heart begin to worry about his fu-
ture, for they do not see how he can
make good when they know, they have
spotted every good thing in the dis
trict. Still they extend the glad hand,
for the fresh, spicy air Of the new
conner catches their fancy and he Is
good fellow to have around. If
he wants to know Where there is
good place to prospect they will
tell him to go anywhere, as the
country is all good. He takes them
at their word and goes out and To-
Gates bonanza in the serpentine,
which, the old-timer had often main
tained, could not be mineral bear
ing. Or, his dog cAases a chipmu'1k
into the underbrush. the tenderfoot
follows, and finds strong ledge of
$150-ore within hundred yards of
where the veteran prospector has
been camped for six months. The
Itenderfoot does things the old-timer
would not think Of doing, and pros
poets a stretcch of country that has
been condemned for many years by
the veteran miner, Just because he
doesn't know any better, as every
thing looks alike to him; with the
result that he finds more good veins
and ledges than the average prospec-
ter would find in ten years; and
all of the old grizzlies wonder and
shake their heads, and eventually ac-
credit the success Of the new-com-
er to nothing but sheer luck.
You say that you don't see how
man can find anything unless some
wise guy had previously furnished
him with a chart and detailed map
of the country, Hike those provided
by the U. S. Theological survey,
which are so pretty and nice to
look at
why you haven't brains enough
to make even a green tenderSoot two
Of the greenest of which stumbled
into my cabin three years ago.
AT the time l mention two boys
from s. Louis bumped into camp
of pop, and knowing so little that
even my burro felt ashamed for
them. One of the boys had a powder
rag in his kit, and I believe the other
wore corsets. All that could say of Z.
them was, that they were alive, and
nothing more. They made the camp
hilarious, however, and took a great
deal Of interest in the prospect hole
was sinking. One day they asked
me to direct them to. good prospect
ing ground. pointed to some over
hanging cliffs. on the bare face of
one Of which there appeared to be
the opening to cave. and told them
that was likely ground As matter
OF fact, however. nothing but an
eagle ccould get to it, and the boys
were short OF eagles. They started
out, however, as joyous and as con-
fident as a baby VITA full rrirstng
bottle. That night they came in leg
weary but enthusiastic. They had
made their way to the base Of the
cliff and the samples Of quartz float
.they brought back with them, looked
good, even to me.
II went up with them, the next
day. equipped with a rope ladder, and
i was dumbfounded when saw
their discovery. Back Of the challxy
substance the formation was erup-
tive. and the fissure was the most
ing in camp a week longer the boys
went home. and. backed by their peo-
pie, sent out a real mining man, who
was amazed at the showing. A COM
pany was formed, an aerial tramway
installed. and the first few carloads
that went out contained the ramson
OF Caesar. The boys helped in de-
velopment and equipment, and before
two years were rolling in wealth and
the whole country looked upon them
as being expert mining men who had
style and system in their prospecting.
Il want to tell you, Old Long Ears.