The author characterizes Candy as

A. an old man with serious health problems.

B. a swamper who used to be a boss.

C. an wise old man who can't get along with anyone.

D. a ranch hand just like any other.

Candy is a swamper who used to be a boss

Explanation:

Candy is a towering, stoop-shouldered old man who was clothed in blue colored jeans and carried a huge push-broom on his left hand. He missed his right hand in a ranch accident. Candy is alone because of the loss of his hand ignores him unable to work with others, while the loss of his dog denies him of a source of companionship. The proprietors of the ranch have him on as long as he can "swamp" out or clean the bunkhouse. Candy's job is to keep everything mopped.