But seriously, while the argument has a certain rhetorical force, it's not conclusive. The pagans were wrong, and those they thought were gods weren't. They prayed to a Father god. Shall we stop saying "Our Father?"
And are you saying that prayers for the prayers of St. Anthony should not be done because they are effective somehow? I mean look at what you said. She prayed to Anthony and found the wallet. You say that like it's a bad thing. You're old enough to know exactly what they did in pagan Rome and you don't lose stuff? Now THAT's a miracle!
Why would God allow such deceptions to take place. The number of stories of prayers to St. Anthony is so great that they are a commonplace among devout Catholics. I nearly always pray to Anthony and when I do I nearly always find what I'm looking for right away. Then I thank God for helping me and St. Anthony for the help of his prayers. Then I hit my head for being such a dunce as to lose my wallet or whatever for the 45th time that day. If it weren't for Anthony's intercession I'd probably only be able to drive my car once a week.
Have you ever buried St. Joseph upside down in the yard of a home you want to sell?