Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-11-22
Dumprons Aeaotng~
ANEcDoTE OF THE ANTHONY HOUSE,

ANEcDoTE OF THE ANTHONY HOUSE,
ARKANsAs.-The old bar.room Of the An
thony House, at Little Rock, Arkansaw, is
perhaps as we'll known to the. travelling
portion of the people Of the Southwest, as
Bunker Hill Monument to the Northerners.
1t was, until it was torn down some three
months since, to give place TO a handsome
three story, on its site-the oldest brick
building in the place. Here, in 'old
times were wont to congregate all classes
of persons, from the fathers of the city down
to the b'hoys of the town ; and all subjects,
from affairs of State down to the state of
affairs, were discussed. In summer, the
cool breeze of the alley or in winter the
rousing log fire, after business hours were
over, were sure to bring together a crowd
of clever fellows for amusement or refresh
ment, and ripe for every species of fun
Among these stood prominent as leaders,
Frank S. and DR.. L.. both now passed q.
way. Many are the stories told of their
pranks, and pleasant are the recollectlons
concerning the men.
Late one 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 reason the
crowd had dispersed sooner than was GUS
tomary; and but two or three of the town
folks were there, together with a stranger
who had arrived a half-hour or longer be-
fore and who, tired, wet and muddy, from
a long Arkansas stage ride, his legs extern
ded, and shoes off, was consoling himself
with two chairs and a nap, opposite the
centre of the blazing log fire. Any one
who has travelled until 10 o'clock, in a
rough winter night, over an Arkansas road,
can appreciate the comfort of the fruition
before that fireplace.
The drowsy example of the stranger had
its effect on the others, and l.. who took a
seat in the corner, for lack of conversation
was reduced to the poker for amusement.
he poked the fire vigorously, for a while,
until it got red hot, and becoming DISCUS
ted, was about to drop it and retire,
when he observed one of the strangers
great toes protruding through a hole 10 one
of his stockings. Here was a relief to l..
He placed the glowing poker within a foot
of the melancholy sleeper's toe, and began
slowly to measure the distance between
them ; one by one the others, as they caught
the joke, began to open their eyes, and be-
ing awakened, their mouth expanded into
grins, and the grius into suppressed gig
gles-and one incontinent fellows into a
broad laugh. Closer and closer the red.
hot poker neared towards the unfortunate
toe. The heat caused the sleeper restless.
ly to move his hands. L. was just about
to apply the poker, when a sound of click!
click! =! arrested his attention. He looked
at the stranger-the latter, with one eye
open, had been watching his proceedings,
and silently brought a pistol to bear upon
L. In a voice just audible, he muttered,
in a tone of great determination:
jest burn it! Burn 1t! Jest burn it.
and I'll be ID if I don't stir .you up with
ten thousand hot pokers in two seconds!
L. laid down the poker instanter, and
remarked-'Stranger, let's take a drink!
in fact, gentlemen, all of you
L. afterwards said they were the cheap
est drinks he ever bought.