New-York tribune., 1881-10-29
4 Wou4Ns STRUGGLE FOR 4 LIKELIHOOD.

THE LIFE OF MARION l. FosrGR--oNERCoMING
GREAT PHYSICAL DIsADvANTAGEs-HOW SHE
Cultivated HER TALENT FOR PAISTING-AIDED
BY sYMPArHIzING FRIENDS.
Miss Marion l.. Foster, prepOssesSlng young
woman who has cripple nearly twenty years. mas
been stayng in NewYOrk since April last trying to sup
port herself through her talent for painting Several
artists who have her work have conceded to her
markable ability for an amateur.
TRIBUNE reporter called yesterday at her home, No
81 East Twcnty-ninth-st to learn something
of her struggles against great physical Disadvantages
TO earn a competence and name. In pleasant room
in which the sun shone brightly. surrounded by her
handwork on mantel wall and easel she reclined OH
sofa and conyersed viYacOusly with heT visitor Miss
Foster has an interesting face marked by suffering,
large expressive eyes, regular features and wealth OF
black hair Her home is in Minerva Stark County ONO,
where her parents living. The use OF impure virus
when she was vaccnated in childhood made her an in
valid and soon she was unable her lower limbs
and had TO he carried about the The use OF her
orms however remained, and she was able TO indulge
her passion for painting, which developed itself In her
eighth year One her first artistic performances at
that age was a flower sketch In which a rose,
a tulip and a lily grew on the same stem. Learning
nature more intimately she sketched several heads Of
ideal peronages which she has preserved to this day
The faces are handsome and gracefully drawn
When her father failed, Miss Foster went to Cincinnati
10 earn living herself her sister and parents She
made
Fanny Davenport the actress befriended her. sent her
decaees and one day the following note came to Miss
Foster from the Palmer House Chicago, dated March H.
1881:
MY DEAR LITTLE GIRL: No matter what you are
doing put down pack your trunk and start for New
York Go to Dr. sayTe Let him examine your ailments
or Affections. he viii tell you yon can be cured II
YOU il win only keep you a short time. Don't be wound
Cd much poor child, II he he cannot cure you
Let us make the effort and place faith la God. who
IL always with have written him first to II he
Is al home and all particulars about you. On receipt Of
this letter will write and send the money for fare,
sAp'A''S' Wv fASSY DAVENPORT
Miss Foster came to New-York and Dr. Lewis A
eayre generously offered her ratuitous treatment and
announcement as her recovery II was seven years
last summer since she had been able to walk, but
Dr. ayre treated her successfully and one day she
ioyed that luxury She would have been herself to-day
probably had the careessness OF nur5e caused her
through an accident TO relapse again into her present
almost helpless condition She said yesterday that last
year she painted mostly in water coOrs but this year
size had painted considerably in oil and did crayon work
and fancy embroidery Although she has had tuition
II music readily reproduce on the piano any
piece OF music not too difficult after hearing it
Tmma Abbott admired her voice and advised her 10 sing
Ia concerts assuring her OF success Ia regard 10 her
While was home last year, Mrs. General Car
field gave me order 70 draw mcsizc
portrait of her husband which forwarded
70 Mentor, and heard that M y was E very salts
many hieudly letters The day that Garfield was elected
finished portrait OF Congressman mchnley IfOm our
district and sent IL home TO him over there crayOn
drawing OF Governor Foster. who WIN ls Wne mas
been very kind New-NOrk Is such a big place
that little body Ike me is easily lost IN IL thnk,
however, that II could become known could easily
make my way. believe this because OF the many en-
couragng things said 10 me by persons VINO ought 10
know Miss Emma Abbott wants me 20 paint Tor her q
b.ue satin dress, for the VISION scene ia " Paul ana VIZ
sina" shall paint margueritcs, which VIII look lovely
o. pale blue background Here is dress have nm
ished for Fanny Davenport II Is for the ball room scene
in Camille, when she plays in New-York. Your kn0w
edge Of millinery will tell yOu IL made by
Worth ana you see, have painted the cream satin
Rcaref camelas with ivy vines IL Is made gabrielle
with kilt peang and lace, and plain that the rich
hues OF the flowers win be eet OF to advantage. The
garland Of flowers begins at the right running over the
front width and est0Oned at the side IN large punches
Of cameias with ivy vines trailing backward. l have
,,ated another fOf Miss Davenport for her PAa