Dear Sir, - As a long and regular reader of "London Life," and being a monopede, I am naturally very interested in letters from other one-legged girls; but I regret to say that these are far too infrequent, and so also are Wallace Stort's stories.
Some years ago, when a young flapper I met with an accident which eventually necessitated the amputation of my right leg, and after being in hospital for some time I came home with my left leg and the other lopped off just above the knee joint.
I shall never forget the extraordinary sensation of trying to use a foot which I had not got. However, after being first on a pair of crutches and then on a single one until my thigh stump became firm-fleshed and hard, I commenced the acquaintance of my first peg-leg, and I have never worn any other kind, so that naturally I look upon my peg-leg as part of my natural self. In fact, strange as it may seem to appear, I definitely prefer my so- called "handicap attraction", inasmuch as I have never really missed my natural leg, and especially as most of my men friends tell me that they find my peg-leg most alluring.
I must say that I find it very fascinating walking on a peg-leg, as it gives one the sensation as though walking on a leg with a stiff knee-joint, but I must admit that it certainly does draw some attention, especially when I go to a theatre or dinner in a tight-fitting short evening dress; but as I am not in the least self-conscious of my peg-legged monopede condition, I do not attempt to disguise the loss of my limb. As a matter of fact I am inclined to be rather proud of the extra-attention my "Peggy" and single silk-clad natural leg get me; and, after all, it is not my fault I am minus a leg.
I have two peg-legs, and they are both of them black polished ebony, tapered to the bottom and finishing up with a small rubber heel at the bottom which prevents jarring, and most of my friends tell me that they infinitely prefer to see a leg of this description than an artificial one which causes the wearer to either limp or walk with a stick, whereas I can step out with anyone without any aid whatever, and never get distressed with a sore stump, which I think would occur if I wore an artificial leg in an endeavour to cover up the loss of my missing one.
I have the reputation of always being smartly dressed and wear the latest style of shoe, but with an ordinary heel, as I find that I walk more evenly as I go stumping along the country roads most week-ends.
Well, "Tom," you asked for a peg-legger's experiences, and here they are from a most ardent user, and I shall be most interested to hear that you decide to become a convert to one, because I am sure that if you do you will never give it up for any other sort as they are no trouble to put on, just a belt round the waist, besides being most comfortable and giving to the stump, also you would soon get accustomed to the imaginary feeling that you are being stared at, and I do most heartily agree with you - why try cover up the loss of a leg you are minus of and, as you say, deny yourself any kick there may be derived from being a one-legged monopede? I can assure you that I get heaps of amusement in life with my wooden prop.
I really do admire the unusual pattern of your crutch as shown in the snap of yourself seated in a chair, but should very much liked to have seen it to its full advantage and use under your arm.
Please write further to "London Life" on this subject, as letters from us limbless writers are too few and far between.
I hope you can find space for this, my first letter to "London Life"
Yours truly,
Confirmed Peg-Legger.