arr/1y

16. Alphy Relocates

When Alphy was approximately seventeen years old, he decided to leave home. He had heard there was plenty of work in the USA, and he had made up his mind to try his luck there. Alphy was aware that he had cousins who lived in the state of Maine, in a small town called New Bear Port. Although Alphy had never met his cousins from there, he had often heard Grandmere Doucette speak of them.

Alphy had discussed his plan of moving with his father, and Henri was supportive of Alphy going to find work in the USA. Grandmere Doucette had written to the relatives in Maine, and arrangements were made for Alphy to travel by train. The family responded by writing to Grandmere Doucette to let her know that if Alphy needed accommodation then he could stay with them. They hada youth named Tony, who was approximately the same age as Alphy. Tony was working in a shoe factory, and Alphy could get hired there if he applied.

It was arranged that Tony would meet Alphy at the train station, and Grandmere Doucette sent word back indicating the date and the expected time of the train arrival.

During his stay in the USA, Alphy would meet new friends, and see many new sights. He would also learn new work skills, such as carpentry and the blacksmith trade. Later in life, when Alphy spoke of his experiences in the USA, he described it as “The time of his life.” In many ways it was a high peak in his life.

When Alphy got off the train his cousin Tony was there to greet him. Tony was driving a motorcycle with a sidecar. Alphy had never seen anything like it. He was thrilled to ride in the sidecar. He decided right there, that if he got work, he would start saving his money for a vehicle such as that.

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