Mercer, A. S. (Asa Shinn), 1839-1917--Juvenile fiction
After the Civil War, Asa Mercer arrived in Boston to recruit young women who would be willing to go to Washington Territory. The shortage of women there created a need for teachers, nurses, cooks. Abigail Cabot, seventeen and an orphan, envisioned a full life in the rugged, beautiful new section of the country. But where would she find three hundred dollars, the cost of the long voyage around Cape Horn?
When the "Mercer Belles" sailed out of Boston, Abbie went to say good-by to her friend Sybil and on a sudden impulse decided to stow away. Discovered by Asa Mercer, she signed a note promising to pay back all the money for her passage. She did not realize that this act of daring would place her in debt for many years to come.
Based on actual history, this is the story of one of the "Mercer Belles" who accepted the challenge of an exciting new world and brought to life those qualities of courage and daring that helped to make America great.
--Goodreads