The rattrap seller in the story "The Rattrap" by Selma Lagerlof is a poor and desperate man who struggles to make both ends meet. He resorts to various means to survive, including peddling, selling, begging, and even thievery.

The Rattrap Seller's Desperate Situation:
The rattrap seller is a wanderer and a vagabond who has no permanent home or livelihood. He lives a life of poverty and destitution, constantly on the move in search of some means to sustain himself.

1. Peddling:
Peddling is one way the rattrap seller tries to make money. He goes from village to village, peddling his wares which are rattraps made from old wire. However, this trade is not very profitable as it is a niche market, and there is limited demand for rattraps.

2. Selling:
Selling is another method the rattrap seller employs to earn a living. He sells his rattraps to the few customers he encounters during his travels. However, the income from selling rattraps alone is not sufficient to meet his basic needs.

3. Begging:
As his financial situation worsens, the rattrap seller resorts to begging. He approaches people for alms, hoping to receive some charity to sustain himself. However, begging is an unreliable source of income, and he often goes hungry or receives meager donations.

4. Thievery and Begging:
In his desperation, the rattrap seller eventually turns to more extreme measures, combining thievery with begging. He steals money and valuable items from the ironworks owner's cottage while pretending to be a beggar seeking shelter. This act of theft is a desperate attempt to secure enough money to survive.

Conclusion:
In summary, the rattrap seller does everything in his power to make both ends meet. He tries his hand at peddling and selling his rattraps, resorts to begging for charity, and ultimately turns to thievery and begging to meet his basic needs. It is important to note that his actions are driven by his dire circumstances and the need to survive rather than any malicious intent.