The test!

An old southern 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 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, "and 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, he 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 eyes, 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.

"Oh, Lord have mercy," the old preacher whispered, disgustedly,
"he's gonna be a Congressman!"