"For me Bateese! I tole you dis: I'm very satisfy--
De bes' man don't leev too long tam, some day Ba Gosh! he die--
An' s'pose you got good trotter horse, an' nice famme Canadienne
Wit' plaintee on de house for eat--W'at more you want ma frien'?"

But Bateese have it all mak' up, I can't stop him at all
He's buy de seconde classe tiquette, for go on Central Fall--
An' wit' two-t'ree some more de boy,--w'at t'ink de sam' he do
Pass on de train de very nex' wick, was lef' Riviere du Loup.

* * * * *

Wall! mebbe fifteen year or more, since Bateese go away
I fin' mesef Riviere du Loup, wan cole, cole winter day
De quick express she come hooraw! but stop de soon she can
An' beeg swell feller jomp off car, dat's boss by nigger man.

He's dressim on de premiere classe, an' got new suit of clothes
Wit' long moustache dat's stickim out, de 'noder side hees nose
Fine gol' watch chain--nice portmanteau--an' long, long overcoat
Wit' beaver hat--dat's Yankee style--an' red tie on hees t'roat--

I say "Hello Bateese! Hello! Comment ca va mon vieux?"
He say "Excuse to me, ma frien' I t'ink I don't know you."
I say, "She's very curis t'ing, you are Bateese Trudeau,
Was raise on jus' sam' place wit' me, dat's fifteen year ago?"

He say, "Oh yass dat's sure enough--I know you now firs' rate,
But I forget mos' all ma French since I go on de State.
Dere's 'noder t'ing kip on your head, ma frien' dey mus' be tole