An old country preacher...

An old country preacher had a teenage son, and it was
getting time the boy should give some thought to choosing a
profession.  

     Like many young men, the boy didn’t really know what
he wanted to do, and he didn’t seem too concerned about it.  

     One day, while the boy was away at school, his father
decided to try an experiment.  

     He went into the boy’s room and placed on his study
table four objects:

         a Bible

         a silver dollar

         a bottle of whiskey

         and a Playboy magazine  

     “I’ll just hide behind the door,” the old preacher
said to himself. “When he comes home from school this
afternoon,  

     I’ll see which object he picks up.  

     If it’s the Bible, he’s going to be a preacher like me
and what a blessing that would be!  

     If he picks up the dollar, he’s going to be a
businessman, and that would be okay, too.  

     But if he picks up the bottle, he’s going to be a
no-good drunkard, and, Lord, what a shame that would be.  

     And worst of all, if he picks up that magazine he’s
gonna be a skirt-chasin’ bum.”  

     The old man waited anxiously and soon heard his son’s
footsteps as he entered the house whistling and headed for
his room.  

     The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned
to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table.  

     With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect
them. Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under
his arm.  

     He picked up the silver dollar and dropped it into his
pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink while
he  

     admired this month’s centerfold.  

     “Lord have mercy,” the old preacher disgustedly
whispered . . .

     “He’s gonna run for Congress!”