Payment of an Independent Contractor After Resignation

[sweetpea]

I live in Oregon and deliver newspapers on a rural route. I do not have a written contract. When I started, the distribution manager informed me that they were hoping to fins someone long term, but we did not discuss a minimum job duration. 6 1/2 weeks later, I have given 8 days notice that my services as a carrier will no longer be available.
The manager informed me that since I did not give a full 2 weeks notice, if he did not find a replacement in time for me to train one, he intended to charge me for the cost of him having to train someone.
I was trained by my predecessor, but thought it highly irregular.
Our verbal agreement was simple: I deliver the papers, and he pays me on the 7th if each month.
Can he really charge me? And what is a reasonable time frame for receiving a final check as an independent contractor?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You should be paid in accord with whatever payment practice you followed while performing the job. From what you have stated, the business has no claim against you for the cost of training a new employee.