Just an old chunk of wood (i'm terrible identifying woods or I would identify it!) but surely it had some special significance to E.M Goad, and I sure love the way he proudly lettered his name in graphite, which makes it feel significant to me, too. Significant too for having endured just shy of 140 years (or 142 if one goes by the May 16, 1884 written on the reverse) to be found now.  And then there is "Goad" itself, a great word, the original/specific meaning being a pointed rod or stick used to prod and drive livestock; in the broader sense meaning to incite or push someone to act. Which one could do by knocking them with this! I like its closeness, especially as he writes it, to GooD too.

6" x 1 7/8" x 3/4". Good condition, nice  presence as an object, nice warm patina.