Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-01-15
TRUE TO THE QUEEN.
A acHoolGlRE's DISPLAY OF PLUCK
 RAISES A TuMULT.

Girls Say She Is ''Horrid," but the Boys
 Declare They Will stand by Her vheth-
 CT She He Right or Wrong.
 Pretty Polly BiIler'a action in tear | ing up an American flag and taking England s side on the Venezuelan ques- tion before the scholars of the high school at Belleyille, N. J., continues to be the talk of the town. The fact that she stamped the stars and stripes under her feet ia lost sight of in the admira- tion of the pluck of the girl i'll defying the entire school when she thought she was right. Since the incident occurred Polly's name has been placed upon the pedestal of local fame as a heroine.
 The Biller family Bible says Miss Polly's Christian name is Mary, but she is universally called Polly She is the bright 16-year- old daughter of Lawyer George Biller of Newark, and is as pretty as she is bright They teach patri- otism in the Belleville high school, and Miss Mabel Dodge, the teacher of the class of which Polly is a scholar, some time ago inaugurated plan of discuss ing the news of the day, It served to keep the pupils informed of all the prin- cipal events transpiring Ill the world outside of Belle7ille.
 The day before the close for the Christ mas holidays the news of the week was discussed, as usual. The presidents message to congress on the Venezuelan question came in for the greatest share nf aAE A 3 girls pulled the tail of the British lion 50 hard that Rolly's blood faiT1y boiled, She was born under the British flag, and has English blood i'll her veins. While she loved America, she loved England better, and she wanted to ex- press her feelings, but could not because she had not been called upon.
 When sweet Kitty Grieves, with a fascinating lisp, got up and said that England must take care or the Eelleville high school would rise in its might and wipe the British island off tho map, it was more than she could bear She bot tied her indignation, though, when the teacher announced that Miss Polly was chosen to deliver the recitation of the day, which would close the afternoon session.
 Miss Polly did not take luncheon dur ing the recess hour. She was busily oc- cupied in her room i'll her fathers com fortable home in Holmes street. When she came down stairs, her appearance 1 was made more attractive by the out lines of two flags embroidered upon the bosom of her dress. On ono side was the | American stars and stripes and upon the other the British flag Her appear ance in the schoolroom caused some thing more than a commotion. The girls l sneered at her and criticised the work manShip of the embroidery Finally Miss Polly was called to the platform for the recitation, and then the excite. nent became intense. She became elo- quent over the fight for her country, and this, considered with her personal attractions and general popularity, won over one-half the scholars. It was the section to which the boys belonged. One of tho girls waved an American flag ill her face, Some say it was little Reletta Simms, but it makes no differ ence who it was. In an instant Miss Polly had charged upon the flag bearer and returned to the platform tearing the flag into shreds, and then she stamped them under her feet, and pandemonium broke loose.
 The boys stood with pretty Polly and said that even if she was fighting on the wrong side they would uphold her. "0h, how ho1idp' cholased the girls, and then school was dismissed.
 . am sorry Polly $ not at home," Mrs. Biller said the other day. for tho papers have got the wrong version of the incident"
 Then Miss Kate, Polly's sister, told just how ii happened. Several of the boys who espoused tho cause of the plucky English girl were seen and substantiated the statement. They describe her as tho belle of the younger element of the town. She is tall and willowy, with handsome dark eyes and black hair, and IS one of tho stars of St. John's Episco. pal church Sunday school of Woodside.
 MT. Billar and family live in com fortable residence on Holmes street, near Washington, and move in excellent society. Mir Biller regards the incident as huge joke, and the majority of the grown folks look upon it in the same light, but the younger ones, and espe- cially the high school girls, say it may become a serious international subject and that when war does come it would find the Belleville girls in line to fight and die, if needs be, for their country. New York Jonrnsl