opied by the press throughout the country. The
reputation thus attained, was such that he found himself in a fair way
to make a lucrative and pleasant livelihood. His sketches were in
demand, and were readily sold, whilst the prices were remunerative, and
enabled him to attain a degree of domestic comfort which he had before
that time not known. From Philadelphia he removed to Boston, where he
hoped to find permanent employment as an editor. During six months he
relied upon the sale of his sketches, and again returned to New York,
from which he was recalled by an advantageous offer from Paige & Davis,
if he would undertake the control of "The Bostonian." He filled the
editorial chair of that paper for two years, when it was discontinued.
He had now plenty to do, and was constantly engaged upon sketches for
the "Yankee Blade," "The N. Y. Spirit of the Times," and many other
journals and magazines, adopting the signatures, "Falconbridge," "Jack
Humphries," "O. K.," "Cerro Gordo," "J. F. K.," etc. During this time he
projected "The Aurora Borealis," which was published in Boston. It was
really one of the most handsome and humorous journals ever commenced in
the United States, but it was very expensive. After some months' trial,
"The Aurora Borealis" was abandoned. Mr. Kelly remained in Boston as a
general literary contributor to various journals until, in 1851, he was
induced to undertake the management of a paper at Waltham, Mass.,
entitled "The Waltham Advocate." This enterprise, after six months
trial, did not offer sufficient inducements to continue it, and Mr.
Kelly returned with his family to Boston. Whilst in that city, he had
the misfortune to lose his eldest son, a fine promising boy about five
years and four months old; he died after a sickness of between two and
three days. Mr. Kelly was a kind and excellent husband, and affectionate
father. He doted on his child; and the loss so preyed upon his spirits,
that it produced a brooding melancholy, which he predicted would
eventually cause his death. After this time, General Samuel Houston, of
Texas, made him very advantageous and liberal offers if he would
establish himself in that State. He left Boston for the purpose, but was
detained in Philadelphia by the sickness of another favorite child.
Whilst thus delayed, a proposal was made him to undertake the editorship
of "The New York Dutchman." He remained in that position about four
months, when still more advantageou