Dear Sir, - I would like to enter into correspondence with girls who, like myself, are one-legged. There have been many interesting letters from brave cripples who are "happy on one", but I notice that most of these letter-writers go in for crutches or the peg leg. I am shorn of the left leg, but I differ from other of your correspondents in the fact that I wear not a peg leg, but a properly surgically-made leg which matches my real one, save for a certain stiffness of it when I I sit down or wear short skirts. I am sending a snap of my legs to show other monopedes how really well a surgical leg can look when clad in silk hose and high-heeled shoes, which, of course, must be specially made, and mine are done by your advertiser of the Regent Shoe Stores, as I saw his advertisement in your paper and availed myself of his services. I have painted the artificial leg on the snap to make it a bit whither, so that it will come up well if it is reproduced, but girls like myself, who are lamer can see at a glance the charm of the well-made artificial leg over that of the "peg", or crutch. Save for a certain stiffness when walking, none would know, that actually I had only one real limb.
Of course, it takes a little time to get accustomed to the managing of a surgical limb, which buckles and straps to what is left of the amputated member, but it is well worth the effort, as time and practise soon make one perfect, and then the glory of wearing really well-made high-heeled shoes is the reward of the amputee. As you can see, my heels are very high, and both my shoes look neat on the foot.
Because I have written on this subject, do not imagine, please, that I am not interested in any other topic. All that fills London Life is of great interest to me, and it is quite a "family mag." When all is said and done, for we readers are given plenty of space in which to spread illustrations that go to some of the letters and, of course, the photographs.
Incidentally, why has "Leopard Mack" not written again? I am a great fan of all things made in the imitation of leopards, and love leopard-skin coats and hats. I am not alone in this little fad of mine, I know, hence the popularity of the "jungle coats" we see about these days. I hope to write you a long letter soon about my experiences when wearing a smart leopard mack; that ought to please the mack fans.
I trust that the host of subjects covered by this letter will not be too much for the Editorial patience and result in this, my first effort, reposing in the waste-paper basket.
What a sad end for a really good intention!
Yours truly,
Surgical Limb.