“Color, Creed, and Character”

Abstract

Due to heavy rains, the industrial canal that runs by Pop's café threatens to overflow and spill into it and the one-room station house next door. Pop organizes a work party to place sandbags around the two buildings. Despite their best efforts, the water from the canal floods the buildings destroying much of their interiors. Unable to secure a loan from the bank to pay for repairs and purchase new restaurant equipment, Pop contemplates selling his café. Just before Pop closes the deal, however, he learns that the company owning the canal has offered to settle the damage suit that he brought against it, sparing him from the need to sell the cafe. Pop learns from this ordeal who his true friends are.