The Jack-Knife Man by Ellis Parker Butler

THE Marcy's Run Road, on which Peter's sister lived, led into Riverbank past the cemetery, and near the cemetery stood a group of small stores. One of these, half grocery and half saloon, was even more unkempt than the others, but before its window Peter stopped. A few small coins -- the residue after his purchasing trip of the day before -- remained in his pocket, and in the window was a square of cardboard announcing "Hot Beef Soup To-day."

Hot beef soup, when a man has tramped many miles carrying a heavy child, is a temptation. Buddy himself would be glad of a bowl of hot soup, and Peter opened the door and entered.