The Woggle-Bug Book

The Woggle-Bug Book, by L.
Frank Baum,

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Title: The Woggle-Bug Book
Author: L. Frank Baum

Release Date: June 23, 2007 [eBook #21914]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
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THE WOGGLE-BUG BOOK
by
L. FRANK BAUM
Pictures by Ike Morgan

Chicago The Reilly & Britton Co. 1905
Copyright 1905 by L. Frank Baum Every Right Reserved

The Unique Adventures of the WOGGLE-BUG
ONE day Mr. H. M. Woggle-Bug, T. E., becoming separated from his
comrades who had accompanied him from the Land of Oz, and finding
that time hung heavy on his hands (he had four of them), decided to
walk down the Main street of the City and try to discover something or
other of interest.
The initials "H. M." before his name meant "Highly Magnified," for
this Woggle-Bug was several thousand times bigger than any other
woggle-bug you ever saw. And the initials "T. E." after his named
meant "Thoroughly Educated"--and so he was, in the Land of Oz. But
his education, being applied to a woggle-bug intellect, was not at all
remarkable in this country, where everything is quite different than Oz.
Yet the Woggle-Bug did not suspect this, and being, like so many other
thoroughly educated persons, proud of his mental attainments, he
marched along the street with an air of importance that made one
wonder what great thoughts were occupying his massive brain.

Being about as big, in his magnified state, as a man, the Woggle-Bug
took care to clothe himself like a man; only, instead of choosing sober
colors for his garments, he delighted in the most gorgeous reds and
yellows and blues and greens; so that if you looked at him long the
brilliance of his clothing was liable to dazzle your eyes.
I suppose the Waggle-Bug did not realize at all what a queer
appearance he made. Being rather nervous, he seldom looked into a
mirror; and as the people he met avoided telling him he was unusual, he
had fallen into the habit of considering himself merely an ordinary
citizen of the big city wherein he resided.
So the Woggle-Bug strutted proudly along the street, swinging a cane
in one hand, flourishing a pink handkerchief in the other, fumbling his
watch-fob with another, and feeling his necktie was straight with
another. Having four hands to use would prove rather puzzling to you
or me, I imagine; but the Woggie-Bug was thoroughly accustomed to
them.
Presently he came to a very fine store with big plate-glass windows,
and standing in the center of the biggest window was a creature so
beautiful and radiant and altogether charming that the first glance at her
nearly took his breath away. Her complexion was lovely, for it was wax;
but the thing which really caught the Woggle-Bug's fancy was the
marvelous dress she wore. Indeed, it was the latest (last year's) Paris
model, although the Woggle-Bug did not know that; and the designer
must have had a real woggly love for bright colors, for the gown was
made of red cloth covered with big checks which were so loud the
fashion books called them "Wagnerian Plaids."
Never had our friend the Woggle-Bug seen such a beautiful gown
before, and it afflicted him so strongly that he straightaway fell in love
with the entire outfit--even to the wax-complexioned lady herself! Very
politely he tipped his to her; but she stared coldly back without in any
way acknowledging the courtesy.
"Never mind," he thought; "'faint heart never won fair lady.' And I'm
determined to win this kaliedoscope of beauty or perish in the attempt!"

You will notice that our insect had a way of using big words to express
himself, which leads us to suspect that the school system in Oz is the
same they employ in Boston.
As, with swelling heart, the Woggle-Bug feasted his eyes upon the
enchanting vision, a small green tag that was attached to a button of the
waist suddenly attracted his attention. Upon the tag was marked: "Price
$7.93--GREATLY REDUCED."
"Ah!" murmured the Woggle-Bug; "my darling is in greatly reduced
circumstances, and $7.93 will make her mine! Where, oh where, shall I
find the seven ninety-three wherewith to liberate this divinity