The Wealthy Beggar of Chestnut Street

C. W. P. Osgood, assistant superintendent of the bureau of associated charities, has been troubled considerably of late by the appeals for charity of Mrs. Kate Lamb, an old woman about 80 years of age. Mrs. Lamb has a married daughter living in the city, and upon investigation Mr. Osgood learned that the old lady is well cared for by her son-in-law, and is in no way in need of help. For some time past it has been the old lady's custom to go about the streets begging. One day Mr. Osgood found her, and in a talk with him she inadvertently admitted that she had $40 in money on her person. She would not tell where she lived; but Mr. Osgood subsequently learned from her son-in-law, and one day called on her. She lives in a comfortable cottage on Chestnut street, near Yesler avenue. The place is well furnished and the occupant has several silk dresses besides an abundance of comfortable woolen clothing. In the pantry was a good stock of everything calculated to allay the pangs of hunger, and, as far as Mr. Osgood could observe, there was nothing of which the old lady stood in need. Mrs. Lamb tells strangers a story to the effect that her son-in-law and daughter have turned her out without a cent, and she completes her plea by asking for some money with which to aid her in going to New York, where she has other children. It is quite evident that she is suffering from a peculiar type of insanity and, though harmless, she is a general nuisance.