Manuscript/Mixed Material
Letter from Alexander Graham Bell to Mabel Hubbard Bell, July 31, 1902

July 31, 1902. Dear Mabel: —

Enclosed please find letter from Lina with two notes from Mr. McCurdy. I don't know what to say about the matter, and think whole thing depends upon you.

It may be that Lina is attached to her place and would be happier there than anywhere else. Of course the purchase of the whole place need not necessarily disturb her at all. I have no doubt that any purchaser would be glad to rent her the place she has just as she has it now. I doubt whether they would be willing to sell it, as it cuts into the property, and the alianation of this small strip might injure the market value of the whole.

1st. point: — Does Lina desire very much to own a place of her own, or would she be satisfied to rent. If the latter, there is no need of doing anything, a purchaser would certainly would be glad to rent, on a term of years.

If Lina's heart is set upon owning a place — is it set upon that place, if not, why should she not purchase another place.

If she is desirous of buying the place on which she lives, and cannot afford to buy the whole of the property, then the only solution is, for someone else to buy it, and sell her what she wants. Are you prepared to do this? We have more real estate here than we want, and on general principles I am opposed to buying any more property here, excepting the ponds you want; but, if Lina's heart is set upon that bit of property and you want to help her, why don't you buy the place, and then sell to her what she wants. I can readily see that Mr. McCurdy — in justice to his children — must sell that property in order to raise funds for their further education, and he cannot well sell less than the whole