The farmer and innkeeper Mathias Kohlhiesel has two daughters of marrying age, the beautiful Gretl and Liesl ... for whom "beautiful" would probably be an inappropriate adjective.  Xavier and Seppl both want to marry hot, hot Gretl; but Kohlhiesel wants to dump Liesl-Liability first  (I'm so compassionate, aren't I?).  Seppl advises Xavier to first marry Liesel, then divorce her, so he can marry Gretl.  Xavier is apparently not the brightest of bulbs in the box.  In fact, lightbulbs in Ceaucescu's Rumania put off more light than can be seen in the recesses of this moron's brains and he takes up Seppl's advice, completely clueless that Seppl intends to pursue Gretl while Xavier deceives poor, dumpy Liesl.  Xavier turns out to be the most miserable of husbands, but, as is often the case, plain-as-unflavored-yoghurt Liesl develops into a very special wife and that gives Seppl the green light to marry Gretl.