The Preacher's Son

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 whisky
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
busin essman,
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!"