Peppe, who becomes a lamplighter to help support his immigrant family in turn-of-the-century New York City, despite his papa's disapproval. Peppe's family is very poor, and though he is just a boy he needs to find work. Being a lamplighter on the streets of Little Italy is not the job his father had dreamed of for Peppe. But when Peppe's job helps save his little sister, he earns the respect of his entire family.