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and my father demonstrated that the Labrador fishery was a familiar topic ofconversation
for them. 271
Tom also recommended that I visit a man he had fished with. Pad Gushue, a
noatcr fishcnnan from Bacon Cove 00\\ living in Iiolyrood. To save time and to help
locate the correct address. I took Dad with me to visit Mr. Gushuc. One story they told
bch\CCn them \\"35 ofa man who was convicted ofstealing a \csscl to come home. It was
the judge's phrase"he should have gotten a medal instead oflhin) days for coming from
the Labrador without a compass" and the fisherman's response of"That's right. your
hackeC \\hich keep the story alive for them. 279 In the third and final interview done in
Bacon Covc at the lowcr cnd ofConception Harbour in the presence ofmy father. he
confirmed for me thai going on the Labrador was a rite ofpassage for him the same as his
first shavc, his first drunk, and passing for a man to buy liquor. The proximity ofthe
departure poinl and (he presence ofanother particip.1nt stirred the memories and the
resulting string of narratives confinned that it was nn experience Ihal was siored in his
inactive repertoire. 28o
The sense of group identity mentioncd abovc is also present with lhe womell. I
worked for a short lime in my sister's club in Collicrs. Onc Snlllrday night a woman from
Conception Ilarbour who kncw I was studying the Labrador fishery said "I bel you don't
know everything about what your father was up to on the LnbradorT' "Probably noC. I
271 MU
219 M
210 M
FLA 86-013. C8691.
FLA86-013.C8632.
FLA 86-013. C8697.
171