It developed her as only stern experience can.

On her shoulders alone rested the cares which her husband had formerly shared with her.

The iron works were now under her sole management.

Foresight, vigilance, and technical knowledge were called for, and nobly did she meet the demand.
Those five years brought her many a difficult problem to solve and many an anxious hour.

Once a hail-storm destroyed all her crops two days before the harvest, and she was forced to buy grain from her own purse.
Again it happened that the crop of iron itself was ruined by something far worse than hail.