Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-10-17
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
ANECDOTES OF THE ANTHONY HOUSE, ARK.
-Ihe old har-rnnm of tna Anthony House.

ANECDOTES OF THE ANTHONY HOUSE, ARK.
The old bar-room of the Anthony House.
at Little Rock, Arkansas, is perhaps as well
known TO the travelling portion of the peo-
pie Ot the South and Southwest, as Bunker
Hill Monument to Northerners. 1t was, until
it was torn down some three months since.
to give place to q handsome three story, on
its site-the oldest brick building in the
place. Here, in "old times" wore wont to
congregate all classes of persons, from the
fathers of the city down to the b'hoys of the
town. aud all subjects. from affairs Of state
down to the state of affairs. were discussed.
In summer, the cool breeze of the Galley"
or in winter the rousing log fire, after busi
ness hours were over, was sure to bring to-
gether crowd of clever fellows for amuse-
ment or retreshment, and ripe for every
species of fun. Among these. stood promin-
ent as leaders, Frank S.. and DR.. L.--both
now passed away. Many are the stories told
Of their pranks and pleasant the recolec-
tionS concerning the men.
Late one bitter cold night. in December,
some eight or nine years ago, L. came into the
bar room, as usual, to take his part in what
ever was going on. For some-reascn the
crowd had dispersed sooner than was custo-
mary and but two or three of the townsfolk
were there, together with a stranger, who
had arrived a half-hour or longer before; and
who, tired, wet and muddy, from long Ar
kansas stage ride, his legs extended, and
shoes of, was consoling himself with two
chairs and nap, opposite the centre of the
blazing log fire. Any one who has travelled
until 10 o'clock, in rough winter night,
All, kat tkn
comfort of the fruition before that Fireplace
The drowsy example of the stranger had
its effect on the others, and L., who took .
seat in the cornor, for lack of conversation
was reduced to the poker for amusement.
He poked the fire vigorously, for a while, un-
al it got red hot, and becoming disgusted
was about 70 drop it and retire, when he OBJ
served the great toe of one of the strangers
feet, protrudlng through hole, in one of
his socks. Here was a relief to l.. lie plac-
ed the glowing poker within foot of the
melancholy sleeper's toe and began slowly
to lessen the distance between them; one by
one the others as they caught the joke began
to open their eyes, and being wakened. their
mouths expanded into grins, and the grins
into suppressed giggles--and one incontin-
ent fellows into broad laugh. Closer and
closer the red hot poker neared toward the
unfortunate toe The heat caused the sleep
er restlessly to move his hands. l.. was just
about to ap?ly the poker, when a sound of
ciick! cljch: - arrested his intention. He
looked at the stranger-the latter with one
eye open. had been watching his proceedings,
and silently brought pistol to bear upon l..
In voice just audible he muttered, in tone
Of r.raot denomination
"Jcst burn it. Burn 1t. jest burn it !
and I'll ed if don't stir you up with
ten thousand hot pnkers in two secondsW
L. laid down the poker instanter, and re-
marked:
Stranger let's take a drink "-in fact,
gentlemen, all Of you"
L. afterwards said they were the cheapest
drinks he ever bought.
LITTLE RocK, Ark, Sept, 1860. FoURcHR.
Spirit Of tie Times.