The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-01-10
A REMINiSCENcE.
How Two Prisoners Used Their Brains q
Save Theiy Heads.

How Two Prisoners Used Their Brains -
Save Thsir Heads.
The following is an incident of re-
construction days. Captain Rube
Clark and his lieutenant, Reynolds,
guerrillas, were cast into prison,
sentenced to be shot. Clark had
powerful friends, who were conf
Cent of his release, but Reynolds,
from Memphis, was without hope Of
succor. The prison at Knoxville
was strong iron cage in a big
room, lose window had no sign of
a glass, and through the long winter
Clark and Reynolds were confined
there. For several months they suf-
fered the agonies of the damned. At
last, as the time for Reynolds exc
oution approached, it was noticed
that he was going crazy. Clark de-
clares to this day that Reynolds did
not touch morsel of food for three
weeks. He would moan and sigh
and twirl his thumbs after the man.
ner of orazy person, recognize no
one and laugh insanely in Ciark's
face whenever he tried to console
him. Clark was sure of his insanity.
Army surgeons and local physicians
passed upon the case, and Reynolds
was finally discharged as n lunatic.
Clark's friends finally secured his
release and hurried him out of
Knoxville. Two entered carriage
with him-two Of his old soldiers
and drove toward the mountains as
hard as possible in tho dead of night.
Reaching a house in dense forest,
they stopped and asked him to fol-
low them to back room. The halls
were darkened, and in tho room
there was only tho light of a candle.
On the bed in the corner lay a man,
moaning, signing, twirling his
thumbs and giving other evidences
of insanity. Clark recognized Reyn-
olds.
Poor, poor fellow, he said, lean
ing over the lieutenant to stroke his
forehead. A tear came in his eye as
ho looked at the wrock of his faith
full officer.
One of the soldiers shut the door,
looked it and approached tho bod
side.
Its all right, Reynolds; this is
tho ca ptain," he whisper
Reynolds tore of tho blanket,
sprang up with glad CRY, and
threw his arms around ClHrk's neck.
Great God, captain, tidn't / do
it woll?" ho said.
They made all possible haste and
soon reached New Orleans, where
Clark felt that rcynolds wc',ld DO
comparatively safe. Ono nj ht as
they left tho ol;era and had reached
a lamp III the street an officer
touched Clark ON tho shoulder.
II want you," he said. Make no
fuss about ii, lut come quietly"
Clark pinched Reynolds arm and
signified that no must fly. The
lieutenant needed no second warn
ing. Then Clark asked the officer
what he was wanted for.
Hanging" said tho latter. II
have been on your trail for three
weeks"
But maybe you have tho wrong
man. My name is Reuben Clark" "
The officer took from his hip pock-
ct a photograph of Reynolds and
examined it and Clark under tho
lamp. Instantly no saw his mistake
and BEGAN to swear.
THAT il likeness of my friend
who has just left u" said Clark
coolly. His namo is
Reynolds" shouted tho officer.
I've c.t the wrong man."
We'll, Reynolds was never caught.
He i, living in Memphis today, I be-
liovc, and has grown rich. Clark is
rich, TOO, but that long term in the
iron crgo affected hi.' mind, and he
is th, most abscntnlinded man in
Amcr;ca Now TorI, Press