The Jones Family and a Tale of Two Schools: Build to Last--Truth Survives

By John W. Anderson

Jake and Marta Jones, after years of unsuccessful attempts to introduce fish ponds as a protein source for villagers in Sierra Leone, returned to Jake’s childhood home in Center City, Wyoming. Their five children entered American life and schools with youthful vigor. Almost at once, some of Jake’s old friends, high school football players from some thirty years ago, shared concerns over eroded goals and values in the educational system, the church and society.
Fred Fraser, the Superintendent of schools discovered his new principal, Arnold Burton, lacked appreciation for established morality. Burton said, “I will be the enlightener of this backward, countrified community.” He enthusiastically embraced the Department of Education’s new Initiative for change. Fraser asked his friends how this difference of purpose could be resolved.
The reader will want to know how peace was maintained in Center City schools.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532087677

John W. Anderson

Assigned after seminary to West Africa, John with Isabel, promoted Bible translation and literacy in the villages. At home in the States, they operated a day school in a storefront mission parish. Later, at their church seminary, Isabel taught Religious Education, and John, New Testament studies. Since Isabel’s death in 2004, John continues to write, especially for their great-grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2019 John W. Anderson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Scripture paraphrasing is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-8766-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-8767-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019918042

iUniverse rev. date: 11/08/2019

This book is a sequel to the books, Molly Sue and Her Friends, iUniverse 2016; And Jordan Jones and Friends at Tri-State U., iUniverse 2018

Most characters in The Jones Family and the Tale of Two Schools were first introduced in these former books. Some basic characteristics were established there; helpful to the reader of this present volume.

Molly Sue and Her Friends and Jordan Jones and Friends at Tri-State U. may be purchased online or read as an e-book.

In loving memory of my wife, Isabel Anne.

"Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own."

From The Present Crisis

James Russell Lowell

Contents

Chapter One Breakfast Talk

Chapter Two The Noon Luncheon

Chapter Three Brother to Brother

Chapter Four Silent Faculty, Loud Message

Chapter Five Coffee House Conversation

Chapter Six Sunday in Newtown, Texas

Chapter Seven Voice of the People

Chapter Eight A Mother’s Intuition

Chapter Nine An Unexpected Discovery

Chapter Ten Homecoming in America

Chapter Eleven Breakfast in Wyoming

Chapter Twelve The Game

Chapter Thirteen Halftime

Chapter Fourteen Jordan’s Defense

Chapter Fifteen Back to the Game

Chapter Sixteen Shellie Disappears

Chapter Seventeen A Kaleidoscopic Aftermath?

Chapter Eighteen Recap and Recoup

Chapter Nineteen In Texas, too?

Chapter Twenty A Secure House

Chapter Twenty-one Talking It Over

Chapter Twenty-two Malcolm and Molly

Chapter Twenty-three Malcolm’s Sierra Leone Trip

Chapter Twenty-four Africa Report Continues

Chapter Twenty-five Sunday Afternoon Again

Chapter Twenty-six Stranger than Fiction

Chapter Twenty-seven Assembling in Center City, WY

Chapter Twenty-eight The Planned Gathering Begins

Chapter Twenty-nine An Unexpected Confession

Chapter Thirty Marching Orders from St. Jude

Chapter Thirty-one Finale?

Chapter One

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Breakfast Talk

Sylvia rang the tiny kitchen bell and moved to the open stairway. Expectantly, she looked up and in a well-modulated voice, called, Jordan … Breakfast is ready!

Jordan appeared on the landing and quickly descended the remaining steps.

Before setting down his book-bag, he placed his free arm around his bride of four months and gave her an appreciative kiss. My own home ec graduate!

He had noticed, from the landing, freshly baked cinnamon rolls waiting on the kitchen table.

After breakfast prayer and a generous bite of cinnamon roll, Jordan said, Honey, I found an email this morning announcing a faculty noon lunch meeting. Superintendent Fraser himself sent it. Why from him, I wonder?

Sylvia responded at once, Must be as important as the game.

Center City High was to engage Riverton, long time football rival, at a two o’clock pre-season game.

Sylvia had more to say. Principal Burton is new, so he may not be in on the real content. Anyhow, I’m sure it will be like football, Jordan. You’ve to be ready for the opponent’s plays.

Smart girl! Jordan gave her another quick kiss. "You’ll be my barometer this year. But let’s not anticipate many storms … or only a few, perhaps."

Sylvia offered, At the PTA mixer, I noticed the principal has two teenage children. I didn’t meet their mother.

Kenton and Shellie, Jordan said easily. I have both of them in science classes. The boy’s a senior, and is also out for football. His sister’s quiet.

After a few moments, he added, I treasure working with my old coach. I agree with his unusual purpose. High school football is to build character in the young and immature players … like I was.

"Crawford has brought our school to its many wins, in spite of his placing values and character as sports’ highest goal."

Sylvia nodded and entered the conversation with feeling.

"Early learning is required as well for girls. Two years traveling from campus to campus with the Aborting Abortion group was needed by me, I believe. We found girls susceptible to women’s lib ideas … like I once was. Domestic science courses have an answer, if it were more popular."

Sweetheart, Jordan took Sylvia’s hand as he spoke. "We must be in Heaven’s plan for us here at C.C. High. We often talked of preparing high schoolers for college while we were at Tri State U … and here we are!"

Sylvia remembered well and squeezed her husband’s hand. We’re in this together.

"It remains my purpose today. I will do as Professor Morton did. Tell the whole story in the classroom, identify the lies and separate them from the truth. Teaching in high school is what I wanted to do."

Smiling, Sylvia said, "And I got what I really wanted! A home and a husband."

Jordan responded with another kiss and rose to go. How are the sewing classes at St. Basil’s social hall?

There’s a lot of enthusiasm! said Sylvia, replying as she walked to the kitchen counter. I love working with Mrs. Crawford. We’re learning cross-stitching right now. The advanced women have completed three dozen school dresses for our orphanage in Guatemala City.

As Jordan picked up his book bag, he said thoughtfully, "I wonder if my sister Connie and her husband, Justin, will actually come for his residency in Center City? I know Doctor Williams is working on that. And if they come, will they live with us for awhile?"

Sylvia responded happily, "I do hope so! I will be sitting with Father Joseph and Barb at the game. I can ask her if they’ve had any recent communication from them."

At the doorway she handed Jordan a sack of the fresh rolls. "Put these in your bag, dear, you might