The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-10
A Brave Young Girl Artist.

The home of Miss Marion Foster is in
Minerva, Ohio, little town in the
northern part of the State. Her
aged parents live there still. From
early childhood Miss Marion has been
an invalid, and when she was eleven,
by an accidental fall her spine was in
jured and her limbs became paralyzed.
She has not since been able to walk.
She was found in her little parlor at
81 East Twenty-ninth Street last
evening, seated in roller chair, upon
which she journeys round her room,
looking not unlike q modern fairy queen
chariot and all. She is a picturesque
little being. Her hair is dark and
long. lies in waves low down on her
forehead, and falls unconfned upon her
shoulders. From under the dark thatch-
like tresses her large eyes look out.
All about the room were pictures,
Miss Marion's handiwork. She is an
artist. AS little child she delighted
with brush and colors to daub on bits
of tin or cardboard her earliest elm
pressions." Her father, who was a
man of means, gratified her taste, and
under the guidance of a governess and
teacher the young girl made progress.
A few years later Mr.. Foster failed in
business, and then the elder brother,
who had undertaken to care for his
father and his sisters, died, and left
them all quite without means. Miss
| Marion sought work at milliner's and
with the little fortune thus saved, a
matter of $50 or $50, she went to Gin
cinnati to put to practical use those
gifts as an artist which she had culti-
waited purely for pleasure.
To gain livelihood in a large city
was hard task for the unknown young
girl. But. seated in her little carriage
she painted we'll and bravely, and soon
found friends. She painted many por-
traits in oil, and did much decorative
work in oil and water colors, according
as there was demand.
Miss Foster remained thus seven
years in Cincinnati working with her
brush. Among other friends whom she
won while there were Emma Abbott,
the singer { who was attracted to Miss
Marion by her musical voice and taste
for music) and Fanny Davenport the
actress. For them she painted flowers
upon their silk and satin stage dresses.
Last April she came to New York,
at the solicitation of Fanny Davenport,
to consult DIR. Sayre. He has since
been treating her for her spinal trouble
and has given her some hope that per-
haps she may yet be well and strong.
Indeed, she was able at one time last
summer to stand upon her feet and take
a step forward. But most unfor-
tunate accident in moving her in bed un-
did all that the doctor had done, and
left her paralyzed.
Miss Foster hopes now to remain in
New York, and to establish herself
here, where larger field is offered for
her work. The walls of her little por-
lor are hung with pictures and satin
painted screens and banners, all of
them pretty and tasteful, and showing
abundant evidence of skill. Across a
chair last night lay a cream colored
silk dress. 1t was made by Worth for
Miss Fanny Davenport in Camille"
and across the front and sides of the
skirt Miss Foster has painted red
camelias. A large fan has been dec
GRATED to match. Miss Foster has
painted several other dresses and fans
for Miss Davenport, which will be worn
for the first time during Miss Daven-
ports New York engagement this
| season.
Miss Foster is alone in New York but
for the friends whom she has already
made through DR.. Sayre and Others
who have called upon her. She desires
to be better known, to the end that in
making a name for herself she may also
make means of support. Y. Sun