Who is Eric from Going to Meet the Man and what is their importance?

Eric is the eight-year-old son of a farmer. He knows that one day his father's land will be his, and he is happy at the thought. Unfortunately, Eric's father has a questionable friend, who loses his farm because he drinks and gambles. Eric's dad buys the land, and his friend becomes jealous..... in the end, the "friend" kills Eric out of jealousy if his future inheritance.