The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-14

w ELL well!' cried the family
 when the lady with the lame knee returned from her first jaunt into the outside world in some time. How goes it? Didn't it seem fine to walk a l block!
 Il don't know" the ertswhile in valid declared, sitting down sadly and Tipping her cane disdainfully to the floor. If hadn't met so many friends maybe I would feel better {! Here I am,' I said as I started out, getting better and better. l may have learned to juggle a pair of crutches around the house in the last few months. but I am through with them :! l am now a human being out on the sidewalk just like other people. Maybe can jolly folks into thinking that I carry cane because it is stylish Hooray!
 First I met Mrs. Walnut. Good ness me! 7 she cried. whatever is the matter with you? Limping like thatr
 Oh, said I nonchalantly, I've been shut in the house for weeks and weeks with a strained ligament in one knee, but I'm coming along finely now
 You don't sayn Mrs. Walnut said, shaking her head. Isn't that awful l don't want to worry you. but my dear, you'll never, never get completely over 1t It will bother you all your life!'
 Indeed it won't l assured her. It's much better now!'
 'Oh, but one never recovers entirely from these rheumatic troubles '. she de- clared firmly.
 It isn't in the least rheumatic! I protested. Its just ligament!' "Is it.? she asked doubtfully. Well. you know rheumatism invari- ably follows anything like that! Now, whenever the weather is damp or cold or there is a strong wind, or it is foggy or too hot you are going to have trou- ble with that knee! You mark my words I am just as sorry for you as I can be!'
 II proceeded on my way somewhat dampened as to enthusiasm. It did not seem possible that Mrs. Walnut would have been sotermined to cripple me for the rest of my life unless she knew what she was talking about.
 Il ran into Chryssie White coming out of the dry goods store. Where have you been? asked Chryssie. I haven't seen you around for a week or so! Cha lame knee for months :? | We'll, l shouldn't bother about that when there are so many awful things going on in the world-my sister has had an appendicitis operation and I've had to take her two small children while she is sick and I'm nearly crazy 1! | What they've done to my new blue da- mask upholstery And carved their names on the piano! I think people think too much about their troubles, anyway. and if you had just put your mind to work no doubt you wouldn't have been laid up at all. Come see me-Oh, it's only a mile and you can certainly walk that! I must hurry be- cause l cant remember whether I hung the canary birds cage out of the way of those children or nOt!'
 Sinking away from Chryssie feel ing as though l were fraud and might be arrested any minute I was met by her knee that way Verbena told me after explanations. Mother was large, too. and she was so awkward getting around For minute when 1 saw you coming l thought it was she-you see it bothered her for such long time two or three years. l think. But don't worry about tiff we have to stand things. we just have to!
 "'Oh, you went to Dr. Bait? Well, of course, some say he's all right. and don't like to knock, but 1 could tell you If l were you l should go and see Dr. Scalpell. He did wonders for my cou- sin when she had the scarlet fever. I am sure he could help your knee! The best of them aren't much good. Mary White had something wrong with her knee and was in bed six weeks, and I knew of another case where the patient walked too soon and was permanently injured and spent the rest of her life in a wheel chair. Are you sure you
 TAKE A PEEK in the attic, base ment, and stOrerOOm and see how many useless things there are that are lying idle about your house that someone