Dear Sir, - The number of letters from male admirers of monopedes which have been published recently in "London Life" makes me wonder if my experiences will interest some of your readers.
While quite young, I remember the queer feeling that I experienced whenever I saw a girl walking with the aid of crutches. This feeling I kept absolutely to my self, believing that it was in some way unique, and it was through your paper that I learned otherwise. I think it was about 1928 that I picked up a copy containing an article by Mr. W. Stort entitled "The Fascination of the One-legged Girl," which opened my eyes to the fact that I was by no means alone in my feelings towards monopeds.
About this time I met my fate in the girl who was to be my wife, and we fell in love in the usual way and were soon engaged, she being a charming girl, full of life and fond of tennis and, in fact, all sports, and life seemed very good. Twelve months later when we were planning our wedding and new home, my fiancee met with an accident.
I was away from the town at the time, and when I had the wire I rushed home and to the hospital to see my dear one, who lay so still and white, and then turned to the doctor and asked what were the extent of the injuries. His reply was like a terrific punch. He said:
"I am sorry to tell you that we shall have to amputate her left leg, there being no chance to save it."
My fiancee was in hospital nearly six months, and then I fetched her to her home, and during that evening when we were alone she very tearfully asked me to break off our engagement, stating that a "helpless cripple could be no use for me."
I pointed out that although she was helpless now, in a few months she would soon adapt herself to here new conditions.
And then for the first time I told her about my limbless complex and that, strange as it must seem to her, I actually her more with a single leg than I did before.
She thought first that I was merely making light of the situation; but later, when she saw that I was really earnest, she began to see my view and to cheer up.
Then followed some days which to me were thrilling, teaching her to balance on a pair of crutches, an art I must admit she mastered soon about the house, but although I tried my most persuasive methods I could never get her past the front door. She was too self-conscious to appear in the street on her crutches, and whenever we went out insisted on travelling in a wheel-chair which her mother had bought, and with her single leg wrapped round with a rug.
This procedure went on for over six months, and I was beginning to think I would never get her out of the chair habit, when something changed the whole aspect.
While in hospital, my fiancee had made fast friend of the girl in the next bed, partly because she was a jolly girl, and also they could console each other, for she had lost her right leg.
This girl, whom I will call Joan, lived about fifteen miles away, and although they had corresponded, had never seen each other since leaving hospital, and it was about this time that Joan wrote that she was visiting our town and would like to see us - a wish that resulted in an invitation for the week-end.
I took my fiancee to the station - in her chair, of course and shall always remember her look when the train drew in and Joan hopped nimbly out of the carriage, reaching back for a pair of the thinnest and daintiest elbow crutches I had ever seen, and which she quickly adjusted under her arms and swung across the platform to the where we waited.
It was about the time when skirts were worn very short, and she was wearing a smart little black costume, the skirt just reaching her knee, and tight. No one with two legs could have worn it. She also wore a blue fox fur and a chic hat, a grey silk stocking and a patent Court shoe with a 3 inch heel.
After the usual exchange of greetings, Joan asked the meaning of the chair, to which my fiancee had to admit, with rather a shamed face, I thought, that she had never been out in public on crutches - a fact that amused Joan immensely, for she seemed to revel in the many glances that followed her wherever she went, and when I suggested that I should get a taxi she would not hear of it, and insisted on walking home with us.
It was surprising how quickly and gracefully she swung along without any apparent effort.
Later in the day, when my fiancee was absent from the room, Joan asked me about her reluctance to walk out in the street, and was observing that she was missing some of the best things in life owing to her self-consciousness, and then suggested that during her visit she would do her best to alter things, to which I heartily agreed and, to cut a long story short, we managed to get her walk round the park, which was not very far away, that same evening.
The next day, being Saturday, Joan wanted to do some shopping, and finally persuaded my fiancee to go too. So about eleven o'clock that morning I watched the two of them swinging down the street together.
Among other purchases, Joan wanted some shoes. When they arrived at the shop they discovered that they both took the same size, and as my fiancee had a right leg and Joan a left, the smart salesman had little difficulty in selling them several pairs, an economical arrangement that lasted several years and was brought to an unfortunate end; but I must tell you of that another time.
Suffice to say that from then on my fiancee began to lose her sensitiveness and was soon to be seen about the street by herself - a thing I had ceased to hope for.
We had married soon after his, and were fortunate in getting a nice little flat. My wife, as I will now call her, still finding stairs the most difficult things, we thought a flat the ideal abode.
My wife wore a white gown, and I had a pair of crutches made finished in silver, and she wore a silver shoe with a high heel, the effect being charming.
We had planned for Joan to be bridesmaid, but this was cancelled owing to unforeseen circumstances, much to our disappointment.
No doubt many of your readers will recognise my wife in the letters recently published under the signature "Single High Heel."
Yours truly
Husband Of S. H. H.