His society was constantly
courted by men whom he had never seen; he was passed free on
steamboats and to all places of public amusement; and, in fact,
the people, in acknowledging his worth, treated him with marked
distinction. He was pointed out wherever he went as a man who had done
the State great service. This reward of his merit was indeed a just
tribute to his worth. Kit felt himself highly honored and favored,
but he did not expect or wish such attention. He felt himself to be a
humble individual, who had honestly and faithfully performed his duty,
as it had been assigned to him, and his modesty would not allow him to
ask or be willing to receive any other than the unexpressed opinion
of the people. There were some men (there always are such persons in
every community) who sought his company expecting to hear him boast
of his deeds and proclaim himself a hero such as had never before
existed; but, what must have been their surprise on seeing his
unassuming bearing, his disregard of notoriety, and his anxiety to
escape that popularity which they themselves would have highly prized.
Tired, by the anxiety and hard work of bringing his property over a
long and dangerous journey to a good market, he had looked for rest
and retirement; but instead, he was everywhere sought out and made
conspicuous.

And here we pause to speak of the noble qualities of moral character
and good judgment evinced by Kit Carson on this occasion of his
eventful life. He found himself surrounded with the choice spirits of
the new El Dorado; his name a prestige of strength and position, and
his society courted by everybody. The siren voice of pleasure
failed not to speak in his ear her most flattering invitations.
Good-fellowship took him incessantly by the hand, desiring to lead
him into the paths of dissipation. But the gay vortex, with all
its brilliancy, had no attractions for him; the wine cup, with its
sparkling arguments, failed to convince his calm earnestness of
character, that his simple habits of life needed remodeling. To the
storm, however, he was exposed; but, like a good ship during the gale,
he weathered the fierce blast, and finally took his departure from the
new city of a day, with his character untarnished, but nevertheless
leaving behind him many golden opinions. With a hurried farewell and
many kind remembrances of the good people of California, he left their
great city to return to a home where he was certain to find a