"One of the best I ever knew, too good for this town. Look at that thing. They say that expressed their appreciation of him--and it does," he finished grimly. "But," said Dan, in a puzzled way, turning once more to the monument, "this inscription--" he read again the sentence from the statesman's speech on the forgotten issue of his passing day. The Doctor said nothing. Then gazing up at the cast-iron figure posed stiffly with outstretched arm in the attitude of a public speaker, Dan asked: "Is that like him?" "Like him! It's like nothing but the people who conceived it," growled the Doctor indignantly. "If that man were living he would not be always talking about issues that have no meaning at this day. He would be giving himself to the problems that trouble us now. This thing," he rapped the monument with his stick until it gave forth a dull, hollow sound, "this thing is not a memorial to the life and character of my friend. It memorializes the dead issue to which he gave himself at one passing moment of his life, and which, had he lived, he would have forgotten, as the changing times brought new issues to be met as he met this old one. He was too great, too brave, to ever stand still and let the world go by. He was always on the firing line. This thing--" he rapped the hollow iron shaft again contemptuously, and the hollow sound seemed to add emphasis to his words--"this is a dead monument to a dead issue. Instead of speaking of his life, it cries aloud in hideous emphasis that he is dead." They stood silently for a moment then Dan said, quietly: "After all, Doctor, they meant well." "And that," retorted the old man grimly, "is what we doctors say when we see our mistakes go by in the hearse." They went on up the street until they reached the church. Here Dan stopped again. He read the inscription cut large in the stone over the door, "The Strong Memorial Church." Again Dan turned to his friend inquiringly. "Judge Strong, the old Judge," explained the Doctor. "That's his picture in the big stained-glass window there." In all his intentions Nathaniel Jordan was one of the best of men. Surely, if in the hereafter, any man receives credit for always doing what his conscience dictates, Nathan will. He was one of those characters who give up living ten years before they die. Nathan stayed on for the church's good.