Within ten days after notification in writing by the department, or its duly authorized agent, to any person of his failure properly to affix the required stamps or crowns to any article or commodity or within ten days after written notification to any person that he has sold any article or commodity requiring stamps without having the stamps properly attached thereto as required by this chapter the person charged or to be charged with such omission may, within such time and not thereafter, demand a trial of the issue before a court of competent jurisdiction in the manner provided by law for the trial of civil actions or civil suits. The written notice required in this section may be served by mail. When it is so served the paper must be deposited in the post office addressed to the person on whom it is to be served at his last known place of residence and the postage paid. The ten days’ time provided in this section shall begin to run from the date of mailing. Any such notice may also be personally served by any agent of the department or any other person by delivering it to the person charged or by leaving it in the place of business of such person.