duty well, for he was
approaching, not his family circle, but instead, the fireside of
strangers to whom he was only known by name. Yet, in the common cause
of his country's honor, he recognized in every American with whom
he came in contact his true friend, and therefore he, also, was very
happy as he neared Washington. There he looked confidently forward
to hear the words: "Well done thou good and faithful servant." At St.
Louis, Kit Carson had the honor of an introduction to the Hon. Thomas
H. Benton, who was greatly interested in him, and who kindly invited
him to make his house in Washington his home during his stay there. Of
this invitation Kit Carson availed himself, and since considers that
he was very fortunate in doing so, for the best of everything was
heaped upon him, while he enjoyed the satisfaction of meeting and
conversing with the great men of his country.

Mrs. John C. Fremont, daughter of Colonel Benton, and wife of the
distinguished explorer, was in attendance at the railroad depot,
when the train of cars in which Kit Carson was traveling arrived
in Washington. It was quite late in the evening when he reached the
terminus of his journey; yet, notwithstanding this, Kit had hardly
landed on the platform of the depot, before he was addressed by a lady
who said that she knew him from her husband's descriptions of him, and
that he must accept the hospitalities of her father's house.

The distinguished father-in-law of John C. Fremont became, from the
time of their first meeting in St. Louis, the warm friend and patron
of Kit Carson; and, up to the time of his death, he had no cause to
change his first impressions of him. There was not a friendly favor
within his power which would not have been freely given, had it been
asked. It is one thing to make a friend, but another to keep him; and
those who knew the true character of Mr. Benton are cognizant of the
fact, that he was not easily won; but, when gained, that he was true
as steel, as is beautifully illustrated by the able and devoted manner
in which he stood by General Andrew Jackson.

It is indeed a valuable possession to know that one has friends who
cannot be bought by wealth or other sordid attractions; men, who can
discern through the rough garb of the working, as well as thinking
man, those noble qualities which place them on a par. This acquisition
Kit Carson holds. He easily makes a friend, and never deserts him;
hence, those, with whom he c