Dear Sir, - From my early school days I was always thrilled with unaccountable emotions when I saw a girl with one leg. I am unable to explain why, but since reading your paper (now for many years) I find that I am not alone in this respect.
My first encounter with a monopede was in my schaol days. I passed her each day on her way to school.
On another occasion I was on a ferry-boat when a monopede of approximately 25 years of age came aboard wearing a peg-leg, in company with, I should presume, her sister. I noticed when I followed behind them as we disembarked that each time her peg-leg reached the ground as she walked there was a slight clicking sound. At the top steps of the landing-stage they halted, and the monopede made some adjustment to her peg-leg. when this was completed, which only occupied a few moments, they continued their way, the clicking noise ceased. How I was thrilled as I followed them!
My next thrill took place some little while later, when I was surprised at seeing a girl running towards me wearing a peg-leg. She was making wonderful speed, and used her peg-leg wonderfully well. I do not think I have seen anyone use a peg-leg as well as this girl did.
It seems she had it made the correct length, erring a little on the short side which permitted her to carry it forward when walking in a straight line and not in a half circle. This same girl, I regret to say, now wears an artificial limb and now holds no fascination for me. Did she but know.
Some years ago I was in the country and came to a rather large-size ditch nearly full of water, which had an improvised bridge across in the form of a 9 inch plank. At the bridge stood a monopede supported by only a single crutch. She was nervous to cross on her own. Here I was thrilled to be of real service. I asked her if I might carry her across, but she thought the best way would be if I went first and permitted her to follow holding on to me with her one disengaged hand. Needless to say, I did not hurry with the proceedings. Having made ane another's acquaintance, we continued our journey together. During the conversation, I learnt that she had lost her leg during childhood, due to a fall, and that it was amputated at the hip. Thus she was able to wear an artificial leg, but she stated that she would have loved to have been able to wear a peg-leg.
She told me of an experience that she had encountered only a few months previous. This was to the effect that she had the misfortune to break her crutch some half-mile from home, necessitating her hopping for the rest of the journey.
Shoes were her only problem. She said she had many new left shoes (having lost her left leg), but she used these left shoes on her right foot when indoots.doors.
She is now married and has two bonny girls.
"One-legged Ursula", in a letter to you, stated that, in her opinion, a pe4 leg looks hideous. This f absolutely disagree with. Most of your monopede readers have agreed, at one time or
another, that an artificial limb is quite all right until you begin to walk, then the illusion is revealed only too plainly and is most ungainly. Now, this being so, all it leaves us with are crutches or a peg-leg to assist us in getting ab~ut. N~w of the two, crutches occupy both hands (only one if only one crutch is used). ~ut a peg-leg is a moditied torloclitied form oi a crutch in its way, leaving atms and hands free and at tile same time leaving what is apparent obvious. Which is what is wanted.
My ideal peg-leg would be the thinnest possible to obtain combined with safety. I would even experiment with a glass one having chromium fittings at the base to take a rubber tip. Thus creating an almost invisible leg. The idea is rather good, don't you thinkl
Now let all lady monapede readers ta! readerr; take up their pens and write, giving some of their experiences due to being one-legged and send photos. Let's have a peg-leg photo, please. I should like to see a photo of "One-legged Ursula" wearing a peg-leg and shorts. Please oblige, Ursula.
Let us have a peg-leg story (illustrated) by either Mr. Stort or "Lawless" within the next week or two.
Yours truly,
PEG-LEG ADMIRER.