sub get_file {
  validate_pos(@_, 1, 1);
  my $self = shift;
  my $file_path = shift;

  if (!$self->_file_exists($file_path)) {
    $self->logw("File $file_path does not exist");
    $self->logt('checking file');
    return '';
  }
  my $file = RemoteFile->new({ path => $file_path,
                               ssh => $self->connection } );

  my $content = $file->read_and_delete;

  # disconnect/destroy the file object's ssh connection
  $file->disconnect;
  return $content;
}