Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/252

 list of sun-myths, as had been done by the celebrated Mutha-Gus, in his learned monograph on the subject. That such a sad event did occur, there seems but too much reason to believe; but there appears to be no evidence connecting the Stalwarts with this deed beyond a few hasty words uttered by a thorough-going member of the party, in a moment of great excitement.

The best derivation of the appellation, and one borne out by the facts, is from "stall," a place, and "ward," tendency, thus showing that it signifies an office-seeker, and nothing else. These stall-wards (for so the word ought properly to be spelled, and not steal-wards, as some have ignorantly proposed) were, in fact, a patriotic and self-sacrificing body of men devoted to the boodle (which, it seems, was their synonyme for the common weal), and ready at all times to sacrifice themselves on the altar of their country, by heroically accepting any office, however remotely connected with the boodle.

Yet even such patriotism did not always meet with due recognition; and, patient though they were, there was a limit to even their forbearance. Their great leader, on one occasion, disgusted with the utter lack of "practical statesmanship" exhibited by the head of the nation (a very wicked and depraved man, according to the authority I follow), threw up his office, in the name of boodle. Nor could he be induced to resume it,—no, though a whole State on bended knees entreated him so to do. By many of his devoted admirers, this was regarded as the greatest effort of his life,—a life that had been devoted to great efforts in the cause of the boodle.

"All this," concluded Thiusen, "may be relied upon