The Virginia Gazette

Last Thursday the following Cheat was practised upon a Maid Servant of an eminent Linen Draper, in Leadenhall-street, at his Country House at Edmonton; a Woman came to the Door to offer Matches to Sale, and in Conversation with the Maid told her she was born to good Fortune, which she could plainly perceive by the Lines of her Face and Hands; at the same Time acquainting her, that if she would lay six, eight or twelve large Silver Spoons, the more the better, wrapp'd in a Linen Cloth, at each a Corner of the Cellar, and say a few Words over them which she would teach her, she might be certain of finding a large Bag of Money the next Morning; which the credulous Maid believing, fetch'd eight Table Spoons, three Tea-Spoons, and a Pepper Box, and followed the Fortune Teller's Directions punctually; but the old Bite found means to convey the Parcel away and place another in its Room; and the next Morning the poor Wench going to look for the Bag of Money, found herself disappointed of her Riches, and Pewter Spoons instead of Silver.