[chasswen]

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 his age,
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.

1. A bible.
2. A silver dollar.
3. A bottle of whisky.
4. And a Playboy magazine.

"I'll just hide behind the door," the old preacher said to himself. When he
comes home from school today, 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 drunken
bum, and Lord, what a shame that wou ld be. And worst of all, if he picks up that
magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing womanizer."

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 month's centerfold.

"Lord have mercy," the old preacher disgustedly whispered. "He's gonna run for
Congress."