Unnamed News Butch

The news butch works the train from Hoke's to Memphis, walking the aisles and selling things like magazines and candy to the passengers. Boon buys "three packages of popcorn-and-molasses and a bottle of beer" from him (218). The "beer" suggests they've crossed the state line into Tennessee; "butch" is short for "butcher," a term that used to be used to refer to men or boys who sold newspapers, sweets and other goods that would appeal to passengers on a train.