The Virginia Gazette

For some Time past Mr. Frost, an Oilman in Cannon-street, has had Soap stolen out of his Shop without being able to detect the Thief: but on Tuesday last, as the Apprentice was sitting in the back Part of the Shop, he saw a lusty Fellow come in, snatch up a Half-Firkin of Soap and run away with it: but the Lad run after him; and seized him with the Goods upon him, on which he was lodged in the Compter for that Night, and the next Day carried before Sir William Billers at Guild-hall, where he positively denied the Theft: then being asked How he came by the Goods in his Possession, he said, That a Relation of his and another Gentleman, laid him a Wager of a Bottle of Wine that he could not carry that Half Firkin of Soap (weighing about 30-lb.) to a certain Place, and that was the Reason he took it; to which Sir William replied, That he wished the Gentlemen were here now, that you might be all together when the Affair is determined; and then committed him to Newgate for the present.---- This Wager is Of such a Nature, that it must be decided by twelve credible House-keepers of the City of London at the Old-Bailey.