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 to concerned about  it.

One day, while the  boy was away to 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 business man, 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 going to be a skirt-chasing  bum.

The old man waited  anxiously, and soon heard his son’s foot-steps 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 into his pocket.  
He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink while he  admired this months centerfold.

“Lord have mercy.” the old preacher disgustedly  whispered.  “He’s gonna run for Congress.”