ned. He connected himself with a theatrical company, and traveling
through Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, was finally checked in his
career at Pittsburg, where he undertook the management of a hotel. This
business not being congenial, he soon sold out the establishment, and
returned to Philadelphia. He shortly afterwards started away on a
theatrical tour, which extended through most of the Southern States, and
into Texas. In this tour, Mr. Kelly went through a great variety of
adventures, saw many strange scenes, and obtained a fund of amusing
experience, which afterward served him to great advantage in his
literary sketches. After having thoroughly exhausted his roving desires,
he returned to Philadelphia, where, indeed, upon his previous visit, he
had become subject to a new attraction, the most powerful which could be
found to restrain his wandering impulses. He had become acquainted with
a worthy young lady, to whom, upon his return, and in the year 1842, he
was married.

This union changed the thoughts and objects of Mr. Kelly. His wild,
bachelor life was over; and he seriously considered how it was possible
for him who had been educated to no regular business, to find the means
of support for himself and family. Believing himself to have some
literary capacity, he was induced to go to Pittsburg, in order to
commence a newspaper in partnership with U. J. Jones. This enterprise
was not a successful one, and with his companion he went to Cincinnati,
where he enlisted in another newspaper speculation. The result of that
attempt was equally unpropitious. Dissolving their interests, Mr. Kelly
then removed with his family to New York. Here he commenced a journal
devoted to theatrical and musical criticism, and intelligence, entitled
"The Archer." Mr. J. W. Taylor was a partner with him in the
publication. The twain also engaged in the fancy business, having a
store in Broadway, above Grand street. The adventure there not being
very successful, the partnership in that branch of their concern was
dissolved, and Mr. Kelly commenced a book and periodical store nearly
opposite. This was about the year 1844. "The Archer" was soon after
discontinued, and Mr. K. returned to Philadelphia. About this time he
commenced writing contributions for various newspapers, under the
signature of "Falconbridge." His essays in this line, which were
published in the "New York Spirit of the Times," were received with much
favor, and widely c