Conclusion of "Neighbor Helping Neighbor"

If you haven't read chapters 1 & 2, please scroll down and read them before reading the conclusion.


Each evening Fred appeared with yet another load of lumber and the two men worked until it was too dark to see. Sometimes Maggie came along and the two women sat in the house listening to the radio or talking about babies or Jenny's ailing mother, their sentences punctuated by the sound of the hammers outside.

Over the next few weeks the new room took shape and was finished and roofed. "Where did you get the shingles?" asked Luther. "Same fella," answered Fred. "He's got all kinds of stuff." Luther didn't push. Lots of older folks liked to help out the young veterans anonymously. It was common.

It was done!! The women fixed the room up inside and moved Jenny's mother in. The men went back about their business. At supper one evening, Luther told Jenny he would like to do something nice for Fred and Maggie since they had been so helpful with the new room. "I know," said Jenny brightly. "Maggie likes those big wooden lawn chairs like Aunt Birdie has on her lawn. Why not get them a couple of those?"

"Good idea," agreed Luther so the next Saturday he bought a couple at Callison's Hardware and loaded them into his pickup. When he got to Fred's farm, there was no one home. Fred and Maggie had gone into Springfield to do some shopping. "That's ok," Luther thought. "I'll just put them in the garage in case it rains. He drove around the house and onto the driveway that led to Fred's new garage. The garage was gone!! Only the foundation remained to show where it had been. Luther put the chairs on the front porch and drove home, tears in his eyes.

The two men are now in their mid-seventies and still the best of friends. They never spoke of the incident. How could they? Nothing needed to be said!!!

The end!!!

P.S. Did you know all along where Fred was getting the lumber and supplies? I had not a clue. I would not make a very good witness would I? Guess I wasn't meant to be a detective------well er, I can tell you a few things but may not be able to tell you the color of the get-away car nor the age of the driver!!!!

Now you know all about Fred and Luther. Hope you enjoyed reading about them. They each received blessings and I feel Fred received the greater one. Remember the Scripture that says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive!!"

Dortha