The Mission of Sport 



forms of persecution, I make no 

 claim that my steadfastness should 

 be looked upon as manifesting the 

 courage of martyrdom. On the con- 

 trary, I regard these criticisms and 

 persecutions as nothing more seri- 

 ous than gnat stings suffered on the 

 bank of a stream vexations to be 

 borne with patience and afterward 

 easily submerged in the memory of 

 abundant delightful accompaniments. 

 Thus, when short fishing excursions, 

 in which I have sought relief from 

 the wearing labors and perplexities 

 of official duty, have been denounced 

 in a mendacious newspaper as dis- 

 honest devices to cover scandalous 

 revelry, I have been able to enjoy 

 a sort of pleasurable contempt for 

 the author of this accusation, while 

 4 



