Who is Lonnie from Shaking the Nickel Bush and what is their importance?

Lonnie is a young drifter who was honorably discharge from the military during the war because of a dangerously virulent bought of the flu. Lonnie is a simple guy who is looking for a job just like Ralph. The two hit it off and begin hunting for work together. When Ralph gets the money from the horse falls, he buys a car and allows Lonnie to fix it up. Lonnie knows how to drive where Ralph does not, therefore Ralph agrees to join a partnership in the car with Lonnie. In time, Lonnie buys the car from Ralph. Ralph underestimates how deeply Lonnie loves the car. When Ralph tries to talk Lonnie into selling the car, Lonnie disappears with the car, leaving by accident with the pair of overalls in which Ralph has hidden all his money.