PIECES OF LAUGHTER AND FUN by Unknown Read Free Book Online

assured her. "Pep is there to look after things."
    "Let's hope no stranger comes around intending to do harm," ma said tartly. "The best Pep could do is beat him with his tail."
    "But I can't leave now and come back tomorrow," pa said. "I'll lose another day. We'll just have to trust the Lord to look after Mabel, and get there as soon as we can."
    The next time I raised my head, the kitchen was dark. I knew better than to try to light the lamp. Ma would never allow that. But as I peered out into the yard, I was frightened. Where was everybody? Perhaps God was punishing me because I was so mean to the boys and Sarah Jane this morning.
    I didn't think it was worth the effort to cry, since no one was left to hear me. Instead, I put my head back down on the table and began to pray. I wasn't as experienced in praying as pa was, but I was sure that God would hear me.
    Dear Lord, I'm sorry I acted so horrid today and stamped my foot at Reuben. Please bring ma and pa home. And stay with me until they get here. Amen.
    Right away I felt better. As I drifted off to sleep again, I remembered a verse we had learned at school. "When I am afraid, I will trust in you."
    The next thing I knew, pa was putting the lighted lamp on the table, and ma was gathering me in her arms.
    "I'm sorry I yelled at Reuben and Roy. I don't feel very good, ma," I muttered hoarsely.
    "I know you don't," ma said as she rocked me back and forth in the rocking chair. "I'll fix you something hot to drink and get you in bed. You'll be better in no time."
    "I was afraid by myself," I admitted tearfully. "But I asked the Lord to stay with me until you got back, and he did."
    Ma smoothed my hair from my face and kissed me. "It's too bad we weren't here when you came home, Mabel. But I'm glad you remembered to pray. You know the Lord has promised never to leave us or forsake us."
    "I know, ma. And he didn't. But I feel lots better with you and pa here, too."
    "That's why the Lord gave you to us," ma replied. "He knows little girls need someone on earth to love them, just as they need a Heavenly Father."
     
Grandpa Hobbs
    THERE WAS AN old, old man in grandma's town named Mr. Daly. He could barely talk, and he hobbled—and sometimes fell—when he walked.
    Some of the kids laughed at him. But I always worried about him.
    "Why does Mr. Daly's family let him go out by himself?" I asked grandma one day.
    "Why shouldn't he be out alone?" she replied. "I wish you could have known him when he was younger. He's one of the most intelligent and educated men in the community. He hasn't forgotten anything he's known, either. It's only his body that's failing."
    I was ashamed, because I had thought that Mr. Daly looked odd. I determined to tell the others what grandma had said.
    "It's too bad when people get old," I observed. "Wouldn't it be nice to stay young all your life?"
    "I wouldn't go so far as to say that." Grandma laughed. "There are rewards for being old. I'll agree that I would like to have my mind stay young. But I'm glad God continues to look after those old people whose minds are tired. I think he has special blessings for them."
    Grandma leaned back in her chair with a faraway look in her eyes that meant she was remembering something that had happened a long time ago.
    "Do you recall that I told you about the time Grandpa Hobbs took Nellie home by mistake?"
    I nodded, and grandma continued. "We had another experience with Grandpa Hobbs when I was about eight years old. I've never forgotten how it surprised me....
    Pa came in from town one evening in the fall with a startling announcement.
    "Ed Hobbs tells me that his wife's father is very sick. They need to go to be with him. But Grandpa Hobbs isn't able to travel, and they can't leave him alone there. Do you suppose he could stay with us until Ed and Myra get back?"
    "Why, of course he can," ma replied. "He won't be any trouble. You tell Ed to bring him right over. I'll air the spare room and let some heat in